Book 2: The Binds of Blood
Chapter 4 - Playing the Game
Luna Lovegood loved Hogwarts, not the school because that was boring, but the castle itself. It felt alive. She found that often, she couldn't sleep and would wander the halls at night. Avoiding the grumpy man who was rather fond of his grumpy cat.
Tonight was one of those nights. Though others never noticed, the castle seemed to shine and hum with magic. It was sad, really. Luna was sure Hogwarts would be lonely, so many people wondered about its halls, yet no one ever said hi. So she decided to say hi to every room. So far, it was fun; even if the castle didn't show it, she was sure the castle appreciated it.
LINE BREAK
Regulus Black was beginning to remember why he didn't often spend time with people. He hated people. They were annoying, never did as expected and often got emotional when you ignored them for under ten years. Extremely unfair is what he thought about Walden Macnair giving him the run around for a week. Completely understandable is what most people would say.
The letter from his old friend had come quickly, but the letter's content could have been more helpful. Walden was too busy currently but would see how quickly his calendar opened up and when he could have visitors come over and see him. Regulus had said he was welcome to visit him at Black Manor. Walden had quickly found time in his busy calendar. Today was the day they had finally agreed upon. Almost three weeks after Regulus had sent his first letter. It was not to be a formal dinner, simply a meeting within Lord Black's private study with an old friend of his. Kreature had picked out his robes for him, and the elf seemed slightly excited. If Kreature was able to feel excitement.
Adoring his finger with the house ring, a silver band housed a piece of obsidian. His family's crest pressed into it, three ravens beneath a wand held high in the night sky, stars surrounding it. This was one of the oldest artefacts owned by his family, as many families could probably attest to. The care and safety of the lord's ring was one of the Lord's most important jobs. It was not a good sign for a lord to start his lordship by crafting a new one.
Kreature had been instructed to bring Walden to the office, so now Regulus sat in his chair, waiting. His mind drifted to the past. Walden had been a third year when Regulus had been sorted, becoming a mentor-like figure to the at the time spare child. Regulus was drawn out of his mind by a tapping sound. Looking down, he saw his left leg shaking, grabbing it with a hand to stop it.
That hadn't happened in a while, the healers had told him that the tremor was more mental than physical, but he thought he had it under control. The memories pushed themselves to the front of his mind.
Cold water, freezing cold, the colder limbs that grabbed and pulled. Screams for Kreature to come back.
The knock at the door brought him back to the present.
Master Black, your guest, has arrived.
Regulus stands as he hears Kreature's voice. The door opens, and the elf guides Walden in. Regulus crosses the room quickly, extending his hand, which his old friend takes before being roughly pulled into a tight hug.
Regulus, it has been far too long. Let me get a good look at you.
Walden pushes him back slightly but keeps his hands on Regulus' shoulders while giving me a look up and down. Regulus does the same.
He looks much the same, dressed in maroon-coloured robes, his hair still non-existent. He had been completely bald since he turned eighteen. It had begun as a personal choice. However, Regulus was confident it was not. The man stood over 6 feet tall. He was one of the most built men Regulus had ever seen. The only jewellery that adorned him was the house ring. While the House Black ring was made from silver, the ring of House MacNair was iron, with no gemstone, set within the iron band, and the signet of House MacNair was an axe held high.
"You're still far too skinny."
"I have missed you too ."
"Have you now? I have been sending you letters requesting a meeting almost every couple of months. Yet you are to reply.
Regulus' smile dimmed slightly at this. He really should have checked that before.
My apologies, seriously." he added upon seeing the doubt on Walden's face. "After everything and raising Cassie. I should've cut myself off from you or anyone, really."
"Good enough," Walden said as he took a seat. Kreature handed him and Regulus a glass of whisky each.
The two old friends began a long overdue catch-up. The conversation flowed quickly and easily, as if it had not been a decade since they last spoke alone. However, Regulus kept his wits about him, only finishing the one glass of Whiskey while Walden poured himself his fourth. Frustratingly, though, Walden kept changing it back no matter how hard the younger man tried to push the conversation towards the ministry. It wasn't until around the fourth attempt that Regulus began to lose his patience. Yet, before he could say anything, Walden spoke.
"You are rusty."
The comment by Walden confused Regulus, and a short silence fell upon the room.
"I don't know what you mean?"
"Yes, you do. This is the fourth time you have tried to direct the conversation towards my work and the ministry. You have barely touched your second glass of Whisky while I am on number five. You think I am more likely to loosen my tongue if I get drunk. Honestly, I expected better from you, Lord Black." The title was said with the mocking clear in Walden's tone.
"I do not appreciate your tone, Walden. You are a guest in my home."
"And what would you do about it? The Great House Black is one of the oldest families left in this country. Their very name inspires fear and awe in lesser men. Look at what they have come to be now. A boy who hides away from the world."
Regulus rose to his feet in a rage. How dare this man come into his home and sit there insulting him.
"Oh, sit down. That might have been scary once, little Reggie, but that time has passed. You aren't the man you once were. Ten years is all it took for you to go soft."
"Get out!" Regulus shouted.
"Make me," Walden replied as he rose. Towering over Regulus, but the Lord Black didn't step back.
"I am the Lord of the ancient and most noble House Black. I am head of a family that has stood pure for longer than you can dream, Lord MacNair. I will gladly remind you why our Lord trusted me above all."
Silence, Walden seemed to study Regulus for a moment before a wide smile broke across his face.
"There he is, the Lord Black."
"You bastard."
booming laughter came from Walden, who retook his seat. "Oh, come now, Regulus, that's one of the oldest tricks in the book."
"You insulted me in my home," Regulus said, still standing.
"You were acting as an insult to the memory of your grandfather. I simply needed to see if the man I remembered was still there. I am glad to say he is."
Walden took a slip of his drink before placing the empty glass onto the table.
"I meant some of it. You have been hiding for far too long. In the days of the war, three families fought for our cause more fiercely than any other."
"I remember. Lestrange, Malfoy and my own."
"The Lestranges are gone now. As soon as the twins die in Azkaban, their house will go extinct."
"I am aware of this Walden. Your point?"
"My point is that you can't hide. The cause may have lost its figurehead, and we may have lost our Lord, but we can't lose this fight. Our world, our culture, is being broken and mocked by the filth that creeps in. The ministry is a joke, and the Wizengamot is no better. The followers of Dumbledore are gaining more and more power, and soon we will lose everything. Three houses helped prepare the world for our Lord, and now only Malfoy seem to be doing anything to help the cause."
Regulus, who, while listening to his old friend's speech, had also taken his seat, sighed. "Last time we spoke of the cause, you seemed ready to abandon it. What changed?"
"I had a crisis of faith. Can you fault me? The most powerful wizard I had ever known, quite frankly the most powerful wizard to possibly exist, had just been beaten by a baby." Walden paused. "I will tell you whatever you want to know in exchange for a promise."
"What is the nature of this promise?"
"Stop hiding. Return to the real world and help us. Me, Malfoy and all the truly pure of this world need your family. They are a symbol to the enemies of the worthy. A warning that no matter how hard they may try. The betters of this world will never bow to the lesser."
"Toujours Pur." The French rolled of Regulus tongue. How such an old British house had gotten a French motto was unknown to him.
"Always pure, my friend, always pure. Now, do we have a deal?"
Regulus accepted the raised hand of Walden, and the tension between the two men finally faded.
"So, with that awkwardness out of the way. How can I help the house Black today?"
Regulus took a breath. "I need information on the DMCP?"
"Child protection? Why? Are they after you?" The questions were fired quickly at Regulus, who stared at the man.
"Ah, yes, of course. Whatever you want this information for is something you're not willing to share. Makes sense since if you wanted to tell, you could have gone to Malfoy."
Walden was correct. His cousin's husband was perhaps his best shot at gathering information, yet to do so would be to clue the man in on his plans, which was not something Regulus was eager to do.
"Well, the head of the department is Lord Smith, who is the epitome of his family's reputation."
"An arse-kissing buffoon?."
Walden nodded in agreement while pouring himself yet another glass. Regulus followed suit. Without the need for him to play games, Lord Black saw no reason why he shouldn't relax with another drink.
"But," The man continued. "There is no need to concern yourself with him. While the man is definitely in Dumbledore's pocket, he is not the brains behind the department. For that, you need to focus on two others."
Regulus mulled over what he had said. The Smith family had risen up to prominence not long after the Hufflepuff family died out. Their main claim to fame had been this connection and a few other clever business deals, and due to this, the family clung to any hope of gaining more respect in the eyes of the older families. It was no surprise that they followed Albus Dumbledore.
"Who are these two?"
Walden smiled. "The first would be Peter Johnson, a pretty respectable young man if not a little full of himself. Good stock as well. Honestly, I like the man. Definitely someone you won't need to work on since he would happily give his help to a true Lord."
Regulus nodded. He would enjoy that meeting. He had always enjoyed how ordinary people bent backwards to accommodate his wishes.
"The second?"
"Well, that is where the issue arises. Julie Davis."
"She doesn't work for that department."
"Ahh, you, Regulus, are not completely cut off from the world."
"Not me, but Cassie. Julie Davis has a daughter in the year below. Close friends with the heiress of House Greengrass."
"Fucking Greengrass," Walden swore to which Regulus raised his glass in mock cheers. "But you are correct; she may work for the DMLE, but she is respected in the DMCP, if not more so than Smith. Trust me, if you want to do anything, you will need both of them on your side."
The conversation concluded shortly after, Walden taking his leave and Regulus promising to uphold his word to the man. The two parted ways on much more amicable terms than before tonight. Regulus felt the protections on the house alert him to Walden's crossing. The man apparated away soon after, yet Regulus still did not move until ten minutes had passed.
Walden's words rang in his ear. How disconnected had he truly become from the world outside this house.
"Kreature." The man called, draining the last drops from his glass. The elf appeared in front of him with a sharp crack. "Bring me the key to the safe." The elf's eye widened before nodding and disappearing.
Regulus slowly moved from the study, heading up the first flight of stairs. His leg slowly began to tremble, yet the man pushed forward. The second flight of stairs seemed never-ending, yet he ignored the doubt and reached the top. The dark wooden door seemed to loom as tall as it did when Regulus was a child.
'You were never meant to be the heir to this house, a spare you were born and a spare you were meant to remain. However, fate has decided to give you a chance. I forbid you from not taking this chance.'
His grandfather's words rang in his ears whenever he entered this room. In his private study, Regulus wondered how long the great Arcturus Black took to move past that feeling. He twisted the cold iron handle and moved inside. Finding the safe without effort, he felt Kreature press the key into his hand.
"You need not do this, Master Regulus." The old elf's voice did not cause him to turn, but the words struck a chord for too long he had hidden.
"Toujours Pur." Was his only reply before he took the key and felt the lock snap open. He pulled it open. Inside was a collection of notebooks. Each was filled with secrets his family had gathered over the years. Pulling out the most recent addition, one he started before the fall of his lord but had failed to update it. He had almost forgotten his grandfather's command, but not yet. He was Lord Black, and it was time to start playing the games which his family had become known for winning.
As Regulus pulled out the book, his eyes caught the golden box which had been thrown into the back. The memories seemed to slam into him as hard as a Bludger. Screaming for Kreature to return, begging the cold dead hands to let him go, the warm pain that filled him from the snapped leg. His hands closed around the box and pulled it out.
His eyes focused on the lock, which seemed to open despite his desire for it to remain closed. The soft whispers and hissing filled the room.
The locket of Salazar Slytherin seemed to glow an emerald green, and Regulus hated it.
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Ron Weasley had never been more excited, perhaps getting his Hogwarts letter, but this came very close. Today was Quidditch tryout day, and Ron would go for it. Initially, he hadn't wanted to try out. Still, after Harry had said he was interested in trying and a rather harsh lecture from Daphne, he had been forced to, and now he was very excited.
Harry walked beside him, yet the two boys barely said a word to each other as they walked. Since his meeting with Cassiopeia, Ron's best mate had been in an awful mood, snapping at Ron and Hermione occasionally but quickly apologising. They had spoken about it, and Harry had told them everything, yet it didn't seem to help put Harry in a better mood. They arrived at the quidditch pitch to find it very busy. Last year, team members stood at the head of a rather large crowd of students.
Ron looked around at the selection of students. He spotted Malfoy at the front of the group, Crabbe and Goyle behind him with their faces as blank as always. The blond spotted Ron at the same time, and a wicked smile spread across his lips, but before he could move towards Ron, the Captain spoke.
"Settle down, kids and welcome to Quidditch tryouts." The booming voice of Marcus Flint. It was effective as many people stopped their conversation while some looked confused as they were in Marcus' year.
"Now, for those trying out for the first time, let me explain what will happen today." Ron listened with more interest than he had ever shown in lessons. "Unlike some house teams, we don't keep anyone on just because they played for us last year, so every position will be available for filling."
This was one of the differences Ron knew about between Slytherin and Gryffindor. The House of Lions kept the team the same each year, only replacing members when they left Hogwarts. Slytherin, however, was known for completely revamping the team each year. Sometimes, only the captain was the same.
Ron turned to look at Harry, whose energy had changed entirely now. Instead of the sullen, angry boy who had been lingering around Ron and Hermionie for the past few weeks, Ron could see the excitement in Harry's eyes and the slight smile on his face. His best friend was an incredible flyer. Ron had seen that in their first-year lessons, and it had been why he had agreed to come when Harry had asked if Ron was willing to try out.
"Alright, everyone, get your brooms and mount up. If you do not have a broom with you, then we have the spares from Madam Hooch, so come get one."
Ron and Harry moved to the front of the crowd. The only two of the group who needed to collect one. Harry could feel the eyes of many of the students on him as he passed through the group, but he ignored them. Today was about him and Ron trying out for Quidditch.
"A Weasley accepting handouts, who would have thought. Isn't that part of the reason your family is so poor, too pathetic to ask for help?" Mafloy's words were whispered but clearly done in a way so that everyone around would hear them. Ron moved to confront the boy but felt Harry's hand on his arm.
"Not worth it, mate." Ron heard Harry's words and turned back towards Malfoy. He could see the prick smile.
Ron mounted the old Hogwarts broom, his face flush with embarrassment after Malfoy's taunts. The weathered broom shuddered as it took to the sky, and Ron pushed down the slight jolt of fear that spiked through him.
Harry took off next to him with much more grace than Ron and began to speed off. While Ron was definitely the bigger quidditch fan of the two boys, he never particularly enjoyed flying just for flying's sake. Not like Harry did, the boy was a natural. Considering the boy had never flown before last year. Ron was always amazed by how quickly he took to the broom. They all did a few laps of the pitch before they heard a whistle and returned to the ground. The energy of the crowd was much more lively now.
"Chasers over here with me. Beaters over with Issac. Keepers follow Miles, and anyone wanting to be a seeker just stay here since we lost our seeker to graduation."
Harry wished Ron luck as he walked over to the fourth year. Ron felt he would need more than luck since his nerves started kicking in.
He had been right. Ron's performance was just an embarrassment, made worse by the jeers of Malfoy from below. Why hadn't any older years told that boy to shut up? The hour seemed to drag, and for something Ron had been looking forward to, he quickly wished it to end. Saving a couple of the pretty basic shots had been easy. Still, as the shots got more complicated and Ron got more worked up, he started to make basic mistakes, ones that his brothers would have bullied him for. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the tryouts ended, and Miles had been chosen to stay on as the Keeper for Slytherin.
Ron landed just as Harry took off, leaving him to stew in disappointment. Luckily, since Draco was also going for the seeker position, Ron didn't need to worry about any comment from the boy since he wasn't sure that without Harry here, he wouldn't go for the smug blonde. It felt like no time had passed before the relatively small group of potential seekers landed again. Judging by Harry's face, he hadn't gotten the position.
"Well, it seems not much is changing this year. It's not surprising, really. However, I would like to announce to everyone that our new seeker is Draco Malfoy. He is definitely one of the youngest seekers we have ever had on the team, but his abilities speak for themselves. Now, Mister Malfoy here has a little announcement to make." Marcus gestured to the second year.
"I just wanted to thank you, Marcus, for your clear judgement in picking me. I will definitely help maintain the high standards of this team. My father has also seen fit to gift our quidditch team some exciting news. Before our first game, we will all be getting some new uniforms and the brand new Nimbus 2001 racing brooms." The few who remained out of the pitch met this announcement with cheers. Many went inside after discovering they wouldn't be on the team. Ron scowled, and Harry rolled his eyes at the pompous nature of Draco.
The group started to head back inside, but before they got too far, Draco opened his mouth again.
"Turns out having dead parents will only get you so far then. Won't it, Potter?"
Ron's retort was on the tips of his tongue when he heard the crunch of Malfoy's nose against Harry's fist. The blonde idiot crumbled to the floor, and Harry was quickly grabbed by Marcus Flint. While he had defiantly recovered from the summer, the older captain promptly restrained him and spun around, throwing Harry backwards. Malfoy was helped up by his bodyguards, and Ron got to see how much damage Harry had managed to do. A lot was the answer.
The boy's pointed nose was bent, and blood poured down it. Ron couldn't help but enjoy the sight of the arrogant prick with his bloody nose. It was funny. However, when Malfoy saw him smiling, he made a move to grab his wand, yet Ron was quicker. Pulling it and pointing it at Malfoy's bloody face.
However, before it could escalate further, he felt a hand grab him by the shoulder, roughly pulling him back. Ron spun around to see Miles Bletchley staring down at him.
"Put it away and follow me. Marcus, take your star seeker inside now." The words came out harshly, and Ron was shocked at how quickly the captain followed the order. The slightly intimidating older boy walked towards Harry, who had picked himself up from the grass and seemed to repeat the words to him.
Ron and Harry looked at each other, confused, as the fifth year walked back towards the centre of the pitch, following him quickly, however, since they both knew they were in trouble.
Miles turned to look at the two boys, his eyes flicked up and down, studying them. The silence was broken by the older students' deep, booming laugh. "Bloody Merlin Potter, that was a cracking punch. Would have loved to watch that all again. Arrogant prick deserved it."
Both boys stood in surprise. "What? Just cause I am now a Prefect doesn't mean I can't enjoy a good punch."
"So I am not in trouble?" Harry asked, confused and without his anger filling him. He felt very drained.
"Oh no, your fucked mate. Snape is going to kill you." Miles replied, seeming not to care about the panic evident on Harry's face. "Honestly, I wanted to talk to both of you after your performance today. Your poor emotional control gave me a good excuse."
Ron racked his brain about why the fifth year would want to talk to him. Harry, he could get. Since coming back, Ron had seen how the older students seemed to get closer and closer to Harry. Cassiopeia had been the first, but Ron was sure she wouldn't be the last. This, however, did not explain why Ron was here and why Miles' eyes were focused solely on him.
"Never thought I would see the day a Weasley tried out for any quidditch team which didn't play in red and gold, and yet today you proved me wrong." Ron ignored the reference to his family. "You were impressive."
The words shocked Ron; nothing about his performance today had been anything close to impressive, yet Miles kept talking before he could say anything. "Don't get me wrong. Those mistakes were embarrassing, but I have been playing Quidditch for a while now and notice things. It's why Marcus lets me make final decisions on some team picks. Ignored me about Malfoy, though. Guess he thinks the new brooms are worth the irritation. Sorry, Potter, you're good, but you don't come with any added bonuses."
"Thanks, I guess," Harry muttered, his mind clearly still focused on how much trouble he was in.
"You, on the other hand, Weasley, have the mind of a brilliant player but the confidence of a… well, I can not think of anything with bad confidence, but you get the image."
"Yeah, I know I messed up." Ron snapped.
"Missed the first part of my sentence, did you? I watched you. I saw your instincts. I saw you think of the right move, yet you let your doubt get in the way every time. No worries, though, because I can fix that."
"You can?" Ron asked.
"If you're willing to work with me on it, I can. Meet me here once every two weeks, and we will work on it."
Ron's mind was a mess. Here, the star keeper of the Slytherin team was offering to train him. However, Ron couldn't help the doubt that always seeped into his head. What if he still wasn't good enough after all of that. Ron would waste Miles's time and his own, so was there any point even trying? But before he opened his mouth, he heard a voice in his head telling him to stop being so daft and to take the man's help. It sounded suspiciously like Daphne's voice.
"Sure." The words left his lips without him noticing. Miles smiled, yet the warm expression quickly dropped from his face at the sound of Professor Snape's voice.
"Mister Bletchley, I wonder why these students have not been immediately brought to me?"
Spinning around, the confidence that the boy usually carried was gone entirely. "Sorry, Professor, I just wanted to separate the two groups."
"Commendable. No leave while I deal with these two."
"Yes, sir." Miles gave a quick, almost apologetic look towards Harry before running off back towards the castle.
"Mister Weasley, I must say well done for trying out today. I am glad to see some of my students take note of my words." Ron opened his mouth, but Snape didn't give him any time to interrupt. "Whereas the same can not be said for you, Mister Potter. I had hoped you would lack your father's arrogance or at least have more sense than him, but even that shallow bar was too high for you. For your blatant assault on a student of this house, you will be serving detention twice a week until Halloween."
"Yes, Sir." Ron was slightly relieved to hear that Harry wasn't about to argue, though he did want to point out that Draco had deserved it.
"Luckily for me, another teacher has graciously offered to host every one of these detentions."
Ron groaned. There was only one teacher who would offer to do that. The same one who had been trying to get Harry's attention since the start of the year.
Snape's eyes seemed to shine with sick pleasure as he said. "So report to Professor Lockheart tomorrow night."
Dear Readers,
I am very very happy with this chapter, the conversation and glimpses within the Regulus part of this chapter were so much fun to write and I hope I have managed to pique your interest in my portrayal of the youngest Black brother.
I have also started using Grammarly to help with spelling and grammar checks since, due to my Dyslexia, I struggle to notice them. Let me know if you guys notice a difference and if said difference is better or worse.
Please drop a comment on your thoughts on the story so far since we have one more chapter to go before Halloween.
Sincerely Paddington123