Honeydukes | Regulus Black

Wednesday | Sugar quills

April. 1975. Hogwarts. 4 years ago

"How much longer Reg?"

"Until, Silas," Regulus peered at him from above his book, "I can feel safe taking out exams,"

Silas Mulicber groaned and threw his head back, "And when is that?"

"I'll tell you when it happens!" Regulus said frustrated. He couldn't don't focus with someone breathing down on his neck. It made him nervous and he couldn't focus when he was nervous.

"Reg it's not like any of this is going to matter when the Dark Lord takes over," Silas rubbed his eyes, "I don't think how well you did in...whatever you're studying will matter to him. But then again, I'm not like you," he sneered.

Regulus snorted. His companion was too naive for his own good, "The Dark Lord will demand excellence from all of his death eaters and unless you're prepared to call me sir for the rest of your life then, please feel free to not study,"

Silas yawned loudly, "I fail to see what arithmancy has to do with excellence,"

"That's because you are the brawn in this duo," Regulus surveyed his friend, disdain drawing on his features.

"Better than being the stick figured brain who can barely climb the states without having a breakdown," Silas shot back.

"Just do me a favor Silas and let me focus. Alternatively shut your trap," he smiled, a fake thing that strained his mouth.

He wondered if it was healthy to fight this much with a friend. He had seen people from the other houses smiling and laughing with their so called friends but it was never like that with him and Silas.

But then again they were bloodtraitors, halfbloods and mudbloods. And he was the esteemed son of Walburga and Orion Black so it only made sense that his friendships would be more unconventional.

"I'm bored. Let's check out something interesting," Silas roughly shoved him and slammed the book closed.

"What in Salazar's—"

"Now lets see something that's actually going to interest the Dark Lord," He grinned, his small, widely spaced teeth all on display.

"And what would that be?" Regulus asked trying not to show that he was mildly curious.

"This my dear friend is 'Souvenirs des arts Sombre'. One of the finest pieces of literature to introductions to the Dark Arts!" Silas exclaimed excitedly, "The future of all magic!"

"Keep your voice down you idiot!" Regulus hissed. He wondered how dense a person would have to be to say something like that out loud, especially since Dumbledore was paying more attention to the activities of Slytherins recently, "Where did you even get this?"

"My dad gave it to before during Christmas break. He said it was time for me to become a real man and this would help me in becoming one," He explained.

"And why are you only sharing this with me now?" Regulus asked, "Why not sooner?"

Silas shrugged, "I didn't know if I could trust you. I thought you might turn out like that brother if yours who hangs out with the mudbloods,"

Regulus' nostrils flared and he peered at his friend. Even when he had cut off all ties with his brother, he was still finding ways to ruin his life.

"Don't feel bad about him," Silas said, a hint of something akin to empathy in his voice, "A rotten egg he is. They always turn up in the best of families and you can't do anything about him,"

Regulus nodded not having the heart to defend or insult his brother, "Anyway let's get back to the book. Why would you think bringing it out in a public library would be a good idea?"

"It's a book like any other!" The other boys attention was quickly diverted back to the contents of the book, "We're not doing anything to arouse suspicion and if they come near us then that's pure prejudice!"

Regulus took in a deep breath and pushed his dark hair out of his face. Silas did have a point about the Dark Lord being more interested in his knowledge of the Dark Arts. And it would be nice to get a head start into something that might catapult him in the ranks of the Death Eaters.

"Okay, just keep your voice down," Regulus looked around, "We don't want to get caught,"

"I knew you'd come around Reg. Now my good fellow, where would you like to begin?"

So Regulus started to look into things that actually would matter. And what he found amazed him.

It was simply fascinating what the dark arts could accomplish with a simple flick of the wrist. Every spell was carefully thought out and planned, its effects crafted to achieve maximum efficiency and pain. He couldn't take his eyes off the book. Everything in it mesmerized him.

"This is incredible!" He whispered, "Why do they not teach us this in classes?"

Silas rolled his eyes, "Those teachers aren't fit to teach a class filled with apes, that's why!"

Regulus chewed on his sugar quill, too focused on the spells in the book to come up with anything to say.

He knew that night that he had to be a Death Eater, not only to help his family name survive but to help himself survive.

He could see it now, Regulus Black the great. His name would be spoken about for centuries to come, his admirers infinite. He would be Voldemort's right hand man and even Sirius who was so beloved in school and so adamant in condemning what Regulus did and thought would come crawling back to him.

That night he discovered the only thing sweeter than a sugar quill was a dark curse.

———-

The title of the book Silas is holding is French for 'Memoirs of the dark arts'. I just typed it on google translate so if it's wrong please feel free of correct me.