Even if a luxurious banquet is filled with relaxed and elegant music, it does not mean that the people inside will really revel in it.
Lucius Malfoy, who was just twenty this year, stood aside with his new wife who had just graduated, watching coldly as his sister-in-law, Bellatrix, shined in the crowd. This woman in her twenties already had an engagement to match her, the eldest son of the Lestrange family, but it seemed that the couple did not put this as the first priority in their lives.
Bellatrix is already beautiful, and her deliberate dressing makes her even more eye-catching. She wore a long black dress that highlighted her figure, and her emerald snake jewelry was also very dazzling. At the beginning, she stood at the front of the crowd, raised her chin and looked down on everyone, with cold and contemptuous eyes. However, she revealed a kind of fanaticism when she led everyone to bow down, and she became extremely proud when she was on the dance floor.
The eldest daughter of the black family is like a pure black rose, dangerous but charming. She dances wildly, as if jumping to the clouds, but her loving eyes are not reserved for her husband. She is so presumptuous that Lucius even He couldn't restrain his ridicule - this woman was going to have the earrings pop off her ears if she continued like this. If this was really the case, then he was extremely willing to see this joke.
But he had to admit that Bellatrix had something to be proud of: a noble enough birth, a noble enough bloodline, and a strong enough ability. Beauty and coquettishness can only be ranked after these. No one will regard 'that person''s regard for her as his regard for a mistress. He never needs a mistress, only a bellatrix behaves like a mistress out of wishful thinking. woman.
Lucius couldn't help but look at the highest place in the hall calmly. 'That man' never stopped dancing, not for a long time. He generously allowed his proud subordinates to have a carnival every time, and even gave them precious gifts. The gift is just like Bellatrix's set of snake-print jewelry, but he sits firmly in the highest position, like a king.
——The king will watch his people enjoy themselves, but rarely put himself in the same position.
But you have to say it's not all unreasonable. Lucius couldn't restrain his enthusiasm when he thought of this. Many people privately call him the unique uncrowned king because he is uniquely powerful! A portion as powerful as Dumbledore! There are rumors among jealous and ignorant villains that 'that man' cannot compete with Dumbledore. Dumbledore once defeated Gellert Grindelwald...but so what! Although that man was from his father's generation, in terms of wizard age, he was still so young, less than half Dumbledore's age! He is already so powerful, so full of wisdom and means!
No matter how wise and powerful the dumbledore is, life has finally come to an end, right?
Just as he was thinking this, he saw the adult curling his fingers at him. He quickly straightened his collar and hem, went up and bowed: "My lord."
my lord. When that person's eyes fell on him, Lucius couldn't help but want to say this.
"Lucius." The man sitting on the throne said, and ordinary people could not tell whether his mood was good or bad. "I heard that during Christmas, Dumbledore turned down an invitation from the Ministry of Magic and went to Germany. .”
"Yes, sir," Lucius quickly revealed the news he had heard before. "Although his whereabouts are very secret, I can still get information from the German Ministry of Magic... Sir, I heard that he submitted a An application to go to Nurmengard. But we are not sure what he went there to do, it is Germany after all."
Germany can relax a little bit about its internal personnel, but Germany may not necessarily be a little more relaxed about the British probing. After all, everyone is like this. Who wants other countries to take the opportunity to spy on secrets.
"——And, Hogwarts suddenly has a transfer student, is that true?" The man's voice became softer, but it made Lucius unable to suppress his heartbeat.
"Yes, sir, a boy from the Bagshot family is the Bagshot. They are not an inconspicuous family in the UK, but they have a long history." Lucius replied, inevitably showing a sense of superiority when mentioning this. "They are a well-behaved family. The boy entered Slytherin and I heard he is not too annoying."
"I'm surprised that you are so well-informed. That's good, Lucius. I'm glad that you can take my words to heart and find out the information for me." The man expressed appreciation and then asked, "I guess you have graduated. A capable manpower was left behind.”
"This is not worthy of your praise, my lord," Lucius lowered his head. "This is entirely because of you, my lord - there is no Slytherin who does not want to serve you."
The adult above him hummed in satisfaction. Lucius was still young after all, and he immediately became proud of his perfect answer.
"I hope you can find out more clearly for me, Lucius," when he was feeling proud, he heard the adult say this again, "You know, I haven't seen a person from the Bagshot family for twenty years - -This boy appeared a bit suddenly, Lucius, I need you to figure it out for me, is he smart or stupid, is he aware of current affairs or dull, who sent him to hogwarts, we can't ignore any possibility, can we? ?”
Maybe this is a nail in the coffin for Dumbledore. Or maybe it was a nail from Germany. Lucius understood the meaning very well.
"Yes, sir." Lucius lowered his head deeply, and then returned to his wife at the other party's signal. Not long after, he couldn't help but glance at him again, the person his father wanted to serve.
The black-haired man sat on the throne so casually, caressing the giant python hissing and spitting messages next to him. His scarlet eyes treated everyone with the same condescension, but he had a certain attitude towards this snake. He loves his blood relatives as much as he does, perhaps because the ability given by the great bloodline makes this master prefer this dangerous species that will never betray him more than anyone else.
This is the descendant of slytherin. Lucius looked at this extremely handsome man and thought with conviction at this moment. This is the future king of Britain and even the world.
…………
After Harry took three days of classes with Slytherin, he was already not too keen to notice the difference between this era and his own.
After all, it was an era when an inevitable war would break out in just a few years. As a witch born in an ordinary family, Lily's daily focus was not only on classes but also on the interactions between her classmates. She lived a relaxed and orderly life. When Harry was in Slytherin, he had to constantly accept the considerations from students in the same school. He had to consider every word three times before saying it, and he had to carefully figure out what impression he would give people after saying it, and every word that others said. What's the point? Besides, he has to protect his secrets at all times... Well, I have to say that if his little mother is in 'esay' mode, then he has to press 'hard', and The game played with Lily is not the same style.
During this process, Harry thought countless times, 'How did Draco insist on living in this place?' After thinking about it, he realized that it was not like he had not crawled into the cellar before. The atmosphere there was not so...such... …Reality.
Although, sometimes he has to be conceited, and he will be provoked by some individuals, but those are just a few words on the surface. Unlike in this era, every Slytherin seems to be holding a scale to measure himself. Judging from others, they will not easily worry about homework, but they will think about performing well in class, and they will keep their eyes on their future prospects, as if the other three colleges have been obsessed with them.
Harry felt that he could still distinguish the difference between 'just for the moment' and 'for long-term planning'. The little snakes of this era were far ahead of his time in terms of both quality and quantity. They were not even three years old. God, now that he thinks about Pansy, he thinks that girl is quite cute. Is there anything wrong with just thinking about falling in love? As a ravenclaw and a mind reader, Harry already felt very depressed in less than three days and needed to do something to relax, otherwise he would go crazy.
——Fortunately, such tense time will never spread to the dormitory, because Regulus is indeed a very quiet person.
He is like a calm obsidian sculpture. He never talks too much to anyone and keeps everything on the basic level. He will not overly explore the talents and past of his new roommate. At least in the dormitory, Harry can be quiet. Reading and doing homework, regulus can also read, write letters, and do homework quietly. The two of them don't have to think about how to answer other people's words in a roundabout way without being rude, and occasionally they can communicate about homework.
On the outside, regulus still looks like a black person.
He will maintain his status as the 'second son of the black family', with his chin raised and his eyes as if staring into some unknown abyss ahead. His tone is arrogant and it is easy to say arrogant words... but it may be that his nature is hard to change. From Harry's point of view, Regulus was not up to standard in pure-blood style. He was barely able to do it, while Draco could perfectly achieve the kind of character that seemed to be engraved in his bones. He was so arrogant that you couldn't look straight at him, and he was so reserved that you couldn't be invaded. , so indifferent that you find it hateful'.
But internally, Harry felt that Regulus didn't even look like a member of his godfather's family, because even Sirius, his godfather, would show that terrifying demeanor when he got angry - although it couldn't be towards Harry, but so far , Harry often saw Sirius in this era. Although this young godfather had friends like his father, apart from his friends, his attitude was already evident: whenever he saw Harry and Regulus walking together, and was attracted by him Seeing him, even from a distance, he would sneer or snort, it was like seeing two ridiculous and sad things walking together. His cold, awl-like eyes made Harry sad several times.
Sirius is the same as Draco, even if the circumstances in life can change a person, some things engraved in the bones - whether brought by blood or early education - will come out unknowingly.
However, unlike his brother, Regulus miraculously does not have this attitude. In other words, it is inevitable that he does, but it is much better, very non-aggressive and very quiet. Harry couldn't tell whether this was because of different positions - you know, in the future, Sirius would never show his other side to Harry.
Regulus would never disturb Harry's reading time. He would chat with Harry gently. He would ask politely before practicing his favorite violin. He would also use soundproof magic items when he encountered difficulties with his homework. He can also make inquiries sincerely, and he will also take the initiative to accompany Harry, a transfer student, to familiarize himself with various parts of the castle, and the two of them will go to the library together. When it comes to dealing with some people he doesn't like very much, such as Lily, Regulus has to do better than his future nephew. He can at least follow basic etiquette, never lose face, and is still a gentleman.
After staying in the dormitory for a few more days, Harry discovered that regulus only knew how to look good outside. He was completely different in private space, because no one except Harry looked at his attitude there, and Harry was someone who wouldn't look at him blindly.
After a few days of painful life, Harry breathed a sigh of relief every time he returned to the dormitory. He felt that this Uncle Regulus... was probably the only place in his heart and the only salvation in the entire Slytherin.
I really escaped. Harry shivered and thought, I was so lucky not to enter Slytherin back then! If nothing else, Snape will never let me go!
"Francis," Regulus asked softly on the other side while Harry was thinking about his daily life. After a few days of getting used to it, they agreed that it was more comfortable to call each other by their Christian names in the dormitory, "How is your paper going? I Here’s a question I’d like to ask—”
"Oh, it's already finished, regulus," Harry responded and sat over, "What are you reading?"
"Alchemy." Regulus showed the title of the book to Harry, "Look here, this passage - it looks like English, but I think I didn't understand what it means, 'Pour the gold back and put the crucible on it' Go down to the 'Goddess of Hell', have you ever read a similar statement?"
"This is talking about the rejuvenation potion," Harry said in a friendly manner, "'Medea demonstrated it to Jason's uncle. She put a chicken into the crucible and cut the poor thing's blood vessels. When the potion reached the bottom, The old chicken, too old to eat, turned back into its hatchling form', and Medea—"
"Medea is the priest of Hecate, the goddess of hell." Regulus nodded, "I understand." He sighed, "Then actually I mistranslated this passage. It actually says: 'Flow the golden potion backwards' Go back and 'put it in the crucible'?"
Harry hesitated a little and nodded: "Yes."
"You're really good at learning Old English." Regulus said softly sincerely. His voice was always a little soft when there were few people around. He wasn't as loud and powerful as Sirius. "Mine is still a little bit worse." ." He put the book down, marked this place with a quill, continued reading for a while, and then suddenly said, "Sirius is better at learning Old English than me."
Harry sat back on the bed silently. He could understand the sigh.
This is the difference between 'external regulus' and 'internal regulus'. Outside, with an older brother who is a gryffindor, Regulus, as the only Slytherin in the entire school and the only Black on the 'right path', needs to embellish himself with indifference and arrogance, with aloofness and certainty. Strength protects himself, so that he can prevent others from looking down on him and the blck family.
Of course Harry didn't think there was anything wrong with Gryffindor, but having been friends with Draco for so long, he also understood the invisible class of Slytherins. They didn't have a classmate named black. Malfoy was the only one in the Slytherin family, but why did Nott go crazy and go against Draco? He wanted to have a higher class status in Slytherin.
And after they graduate, this status will actually affect their social status in their circle.
Thinking of this, Harry really felt guilty——
——He knew very well that Sirius would not guarantee this status, but he was the eldest son, the first heir, and a gryffindor. So of course the pureblood circle will think, speculate, and say, is the Black family trying to change their stance? Or is the eldest son who is preparing to inherit the family business an out-and-out fool? As a result, they all looked at the remaining black family members with a subtle eye, as if they were watching a once-in-a-century event.
Among the people who caused Regulus's embarrassing situation, Harry counted his godfather as the first one, and his biological father also accounted for a large part.
"It's all because of James Potter." Regulus said softly again, and anyone who heard his voice could hear the resentment. "He doesn't lack Gryffindor friends at all, but he happens to be close friends with Sirius. This makes it difficult for our family to be together. .”
"I understand." Harry said guiltily and sympathetically, "But...friendship is sometimes something that is easy to have suddenly, regulus."
What if it was twenty years later? He and Draco were together every day.
Time will eventually change the status quo. There is nothing wrong with the friendship between Sirius and James, but Sirius's attitude towards the other person is too decisive, and this era is too tense. At least that's what Harry thinks so far.
"I understand friendship," Regulus said succinctly, expressionlessly, "I just don't understand Sirius. As you saw, he treated you and me yesterday."
'To me' was of course the key point, but Harry couldn't help but silently looked up at the ceiling. Oh, yesterday. An unbearable yesterday.
………………
yesterday. A quarter past twelve noon.
Even if he did it again, Harry wouldn't know how it happened. It was an unreasonable disaster. He 'encountered' Lily in a normal way, said a few words and goodbye, and then walked to the restaurant with Regulus. When they turned a corner, they encountered a curse flying towards them. When he looked up again, Harry I found that in this corridor, James and his group were fighting fiercely with Snape, and spells were flying everywhere. The other students seemed to have experienced it. Some of them avoided it, and some ran to call the professor to make way for a large open space.
'I heard that your dad and Snape had an affair when they were young' and 'seeing and participating in the live version' are two different situations. Harry was stunned for a moment and stood there completely stupid. However, Regulus frowned. .
Although Slytherins generally don't want to deal with such personal grudges, it is inevitable to encounter them. It is always shameful to let this situation go. He meant watching a Slytherin being beaten by several Gryffindors. So he took out his wand, first used a disarming spell to confiscate Wormtail's wand across from him, and then threw it into the hand of Harry who was standing there stupidly, but in the next second, another person took the wand away.
Harry looked in that direction almost mechanically - free and easy, handsome, with a cynical sneer, it was Sirius.
"What's the matter, Regulus!" Sirius sneered, throwing his brother's wand in his hand again and again: "You heard the news and want to help this snot-nosed guy make a comeback? Hey, look who's following you, you want me Your standards for choosing friends are not very good, this German guy looks so stupid!"
"...Sirius!" Regulus looked quite offended, and there was a slight wave on his calm face. "Sirius, give me back my wand!"
"You still took his wand away. You have to give it back to him first." Sirius used his thumb to take back the wand with a finger, Wormtail looked happy, "Whatever you do to my friend, I will do to him." what you do."
"Who is he and who am I?" Regulus said in a disdainful tone as if he had not seen the trembling Wormtail, his eyes only fixed on Sirius, "You raise the wand to your biological brother for someone else? You compare us? ?”
"You are not much nobler than him in my eyes," Sirius sneered, "Do you think you are much nobler if you have a surname of black?"
These words were a bit hurtful. Harry could see Lupin's unbearable expression, and he couldn't help but cover his face with his hands - he could almost imagine what Regulus's expression looked like now.
"Hey," James was fighting with Snape, but seeing Sirius getting into trouble with his brother again, he said helplessly, "Here you go again, Padfoot - persuade him, Moony Face, I don't have any room for you here!"
"Don't be like this, Sirius, that's your brother," Lupine said, "Speak up!"
Snape, who was fighting with James, let out a loud snort.
"So this is how you behave, black." He was like a malicious cat, poking at the most vulnerable places when he got the chance. "This is the first time I have seen a brother like you. It's like the blood of the two of you. It’s like there’s not the same blood left in it.”
Sirius took a cold breath, flicked his wand and sent out a curse: "Shut your stinky mouth, snot-nosed man - this is none of your business!"
Harry quietly looked at his roommate and found Regulus with a cold face. In the past few days when he and Harry were acting together, he had always been a relatively docile person, but now there were almost ice chips falling off his face. He stared at Sirius, his knife-like gaze swept across Wormtail's face. There was imperceptible anger in his black eyes, his breathing quickened, and his face was flushed with anger.
"Hold it, Francis," Regulus looked at him approaching, took a deep breath, and said loudly, "I'll throw this wand into the black lake in a moment - soak it in cold water and look for it - let them soak it." I think it’s good to have a clear head.”
"Uh...huh? Oh, okay."
Harry reacted and agreed quickly, but did not take his words seriously. Then again, there is no need for Regulus to say this - he has a grudge against Wormtail, remember!
But at this moment, when he looked at Regulus's face, and then at Sirius's face, the first thing that came to his mind was a question.
——Is your slytherin's expression that can make people burst with anger hereditary?
Don't blame him for thinking this way, because Draco feels the same way. That expression, that tone, that speed seemed to be carved from the same mold.
"How dare you!" Sirius laughed angrily, and turned his wand to Harry, "Your German friend doesn't have the guts to get out of here yet——"
Harry quickly waved his wand to protect himself with armor. The powerful red-light spell hit the magic shield and shook it before dissipating. He looked at his future godfather with a novel perspective, and found that the way he looked at him was really vicious.
Did I mess with him? No, basically not. Harry felt very innocent.
But regulus was also shaken just like the magic shield. His momentum suddenly faded, and the expression on his face returned to nothing. He took out the wand belonging to Wormtail from Harry's hand and threw it forward with all his strength.
"Let's go, Francis." He pulled Harry and turned away, hanging his head as if he was shocked by this spell. "I guess the professor is coming - let's not make fun of them here anymore. Yes. I'm too impulsive, it would be embarrassing to fight with them, and I can't let you be embarrassed too."
"——Mom's little Rael, are you running away like this? You are still as cowardly as before! Are you afraid that I will hurt your friends and dignity?"
When they left, the voice of Black's eldest son still showed his presence behind them, "The day you dare to fight me bravely, you can get rid of those mother's criticisms of you! The last thing you should do is to listen to her more !”
"Regulus..." Harry couldn't help but speak.
"Let's go, hurry up." Regulus took another deep breath. Harry didn't know if this was his way of stabilizing his mood. "The professor is really coming... We can't be caught, we are slytherins."
They left the corridor as if they were running away and went to the hall to eat by another way. Later, they heard that the professor was coming right away, deducting some points from several people, and Snape was also honored. But when the four gryffindors also entered the hall to eat, Harry could feel the vague presence on the table opposite. sight.
It's Sirius. He has been staring here like an observer.
………………
After the memory ended, Harry sighed deeply and patted Regulus on the shoulder.
"Thank you, but I have been mentally prepared for a long time," Regulus lowered his eyes and said softly, "He values his friends more than his relatives. I have known it clearly for a long time."
"No." Harry retorted subconsciously, "He loves you, loves you very much."
"You don't have to comfort me," Regulus turned to Harry and smiled, "I am already in the third year, and Sirius is in the fourth year. We have some things that words alone cannot hide - Francis, if you let this When Sirius hears it, he will say that he doesn't love that kind of thing, and he even thinks that his pure blood is something worthy of hatred."
But he really loves you, loves you very much. Harry could hardly restrain himself from saying this to the young man in front of him.
——Nineteen years later, you were sleeping in the ice and lake water. He tried his best to bleed himself and swam to the bottom of the lake without fear. Relying on the blood he hated in his veins, he recovered from the many evil spirits. Among the corpses, I really found you from the depths of the lake and rescued you, regardless of whether you were alive or dead at that time.
——And he calls that taking you home. 166 reading network
