Chapter 3
"Let me guess, your mother told you to leave them alone right and not to talk to them?" Evan asked when he walked back into the room. Barty was close behind him, shutting the door, but not before levelling a filthy glare to the people still standing outside. Regulus sighed. A part of it hurt, still, but there was nothing that he could do. Sirius left him, left the family...and Regulus was not allowed to have contact with him, it was that simple, and it had to be that simple. He could not allow his feelings and his emotions to taint the reality of things, and if Sirius had truly wanted to be around Regulus, had truly wanted to be his brother...he would not have left without him. He would have extended the offer at least, but he didn't. Regulus was not even sure what entirely happened that day. Everything was a bit of a...fuzz in his brain. He knew that he had at least cleared the room when Sirius decided to leave. He knew that he would have, and he knew Sirius was not going to ask him or say goodbye. A part of him wished that he would...but he knew that he wouldn't, and he hadn't. Anger was mostly what he was feeling, and betrayal, but that latter was far more normal since Sirius had dipped off to Hogwarts and replaced him.
"Is it that surprising?" Regulus scoffed, folding his arms over his chest as he stared out of the window. "I have a feeling it will be a bit more complicated then just ignoring them this year, though. S...He lost his status, and now I am the Heir. While I doubt that he is angry over it, I know some people will be. No matter what others think, there are some around S...around him that use his status for themselves, even if they claim to be righteous Gryffindors, and well...he doesn't have status anymore." Regulus gave a pinched frown. "More than that, there is going to be some hectic chaos in the Slytherin house for a while...I dread to think of what it means." Regulus muttered. Barty frowned, his brows furrowing in worry.
"What do you mean?" He questioned softly. Evan and Regulus stared at him for a second before realization entered both of their eyes. Right...Barty's family did not run in the same circles. Although his family is practically as bad as mine, though he would never admit it out loud. How I long to get my hands on his father...I would ensure that his pain is long and lasting. It would be quite fun...and enjoyable in my opinion. I know Evan would love it too. How unfortunate...
"There is a so-called Dark Lord rising." Regulus dutifully informed Barty. it would be prudent for the other to be fully informed. He was also in Ravenclaw, but he hung out around enough Slytherins that not knowing the information could be detrimental. Regulus knew that this year was going to be difficult enough, and he knew that his family was going to push him into agreeing to play nice with this Dark Lord...which meant he was going to have to do some...figuring, though how and what...he did not know. He needed to get his hands on the upper level Dark Arts books in the library for one, though that could wait for winter break. he already had a vast majority of books in his trunk that he could occupy himself with. One could never be too prepared, after all. "The Malfoy family is already deeply entwined with them, whoever they are, and it is clear that there is some sort of...power behind this. Rumors that he is a direct descendant of Salzaar, despite being a Halfblood."
"So soon after Grindelwald." Barty muttered under his breath. Regulus huffed, but could not agree more. Evan grabbed Barty by the neck and jerked him into the seat ruffling his hair roughly.
"There is not much to be done about it, besides, Grindelwald left the Magical community in shambles, and therefore it makes sense that someone was going to rise up from the dark side. We already have that power hungry Dumbledore to contend with on the light side." Rosier had a point...but there was not much to do to stop either one. Personally, Regulus was not sure what he was supposed to do, honestly. He had no idea what this Dark Lord's ideals are, but considering how maniacal his parents had become...well he did not know that he wanted to know all that much...which of course meant that he was going to have to entwine himself in things, he was not stupid.
"And you are going to have to at least meet them...aren't you?" Evan asked, hitting the nail on the head before Regulus could even admit to anything. "We got your back, if you have to go, we will too." Regulus felt his shoulders drop slightly. He did not know what to do with such loyal friendship. It was...overwhelming, truly. He was not sure he would have lasted this long without both Rosier and Crouch, but he had them, and that was all that truly mattered in the grand scheme of things. He breathed deeply, forcing out the breath at the same time.
"Yes, I expect to be approached by the followers at some point this year, though I am uncertain as to...when or whom it will be, I have my guesses."
"We are going to have to be extra vigilant this year," Evan said softly, his eyes furrowed down slightly as he worried somewhat. Regulus felt warm that Evan felt comfortable enough to worry in front of him and Barty.