Several weeks go past in a blur of classes, small comforting moments between friends, and attempting to avoid pranks on Severus's part. But for one young Black, the passing weeks had been torture as he continues to not hear from his parents. And it was while in the library that Regulus brought up his concerns again. The little Hufflepuff glances up from his potions textbook to look around at his friends. "Guys...I'm getting really worried," he keeps his voice down to refrain from attracting attention.

Luna looks up momentarily from the essay she was working on, "I'm sure they'll write you soon, Reggie."

Regulus frowns down at his textbook before looking up with distress in his eyes, "But it's already October! Halloween is in two weeks! And I've written them every day since we started." He clears his voice to attempt to speak in not a distressed squeak. "I know they aren't so busy that they can't send back a single letter. I mean, yes they don't bother to write Sirius either. But with how they've acted, him getting into Gryffindor was a greater offense than anything I could have done. The only way I would have earned their ire would have been to be put into Gryffindor as well. But I was sorted into Hufflepuff. And now it seems that they can't even bear to write me back." He lays his head down onto the table with his arms dangling straight down.

Harry gently pats his back, "As Luna's said, Reggie. Everything will work out. Most likely they've actually written you but forgot to send it out." Regulus groans at this, not believing it in the slightest.

Draco sighs deeply, "Or it could be exactly as he fears." He shrugs when several sets of eyes angrily turn towards him. "This is coming from the viewpoint of someone who lives in a cutthroat pureblood family. Frequently it's a case of get into Slytherin or else. Some times they make exceptions for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff." He shrugs again. "But that's once again on a some times basis."

Regulus groans again causing Lyka to speak up from behind her book, "Don't worry, Reggie. If something terrible happens, we're still friends and we'll have your back." This gains nods from everyone except Regulus himself.

The raven-haired boy groans again, "That only makes me feel slightly better, Lyka." He lifts his head and smiles at everyone. "I suppose we should head towards supper instead of continuing to listen to me wallow."

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Breakfast felt tense the next morning as six pairs of eyes watch for the daily post to arrive. In particular, they were watching for the Black family owl and the possible set of letters it could be carrying for Regulus. Regulus especially felt himself thrumming with nervous energy at the fact that it could be yet another day without word from his parents. "What if they don't send anything today either?" He questions the other five seated around him.

"Then perhaps we ask the headmaster if you can floo call them after explaining the situation?" Severus suggests.

Lyka nods in agreement, "That would be the fastest course for getting some sort of answer. And I'm sure that Headmaster Dumbledore would be empathetic about the situation."

Regulus nods slowly before jumping up in excitement as the owls began swooping into the great hall. "I just saw my parents' owl!" He cries out. The group watches in equal excitement as the owl Regulus had pointed out flew lazily around the hall. Eventually the owl swoops low in front of Regulus and drops a single red envelope. The owl takes off again, not even stopping for a treat; leaving the young Black staring in horror at the howler.

Draco blinks slowly, paler than normal in the wake of this delivery. "Reggie...you should probably open that before it explodes."

Regulus swallows hard before reaching out with a shaking hand to pick up the envelope. He rips it open haphazardly, and the voice of Walburga Black came out with a deafening shriek: "Regulus Arcturus Black! You are the greatest disgrace to the most noble and honorable house of Black to have ever lived! You were supposed to redeem our house by being sorted into the correct house! Not be akin to that horrid brother of yours! You are hereby disowned and stripped of all titles associated with this noble house!" The envelope bursts into flames after that last declaration and ashes rain down onto Regulus' still empty plate.

Regulus stares horrified at the pile of ashes before scrambling out of his seat and leaving behind the great hall that was now full of talk about what they just heard.