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Chapter 19 First Year Pitch 
Monday, 19th of March 1973. 

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The March full moon had just 
passed, and now Regulus Black 

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was on the edge of uncovering 
the truth about Beamer's Lupin. 

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For days he'd been haunted by 
the clues that seemed to fall 

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into place with every glance, 
every missed day of class. 

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After his last revelation, 
regulars had studied the lunar, 

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the lunar cycles with meticulous
care, discovering the next full 

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moon will take place tonight. 
Now, barely an hour remained 

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until he found out if his 
suspicions were correct. 

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He had barely slept, his mind 
racing with questions he 

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couldn't shake. 
What was it like? 

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Did it hurt? 
Was it terrifying? 

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And the most troubling of all, 
was Remus scared? 

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Despite all his theories, 
Regulus tried not to jump to 

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conclusions too quickly. 
After all, he wasn't completely 

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sure, not yet, but the weight of
possibility ignored at him. 

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All his life, Regulus had been 
taught of fear. 

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Dark creatures to view them with
suspicion or contempt. 

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But this, the thought of Remus, 
the quiet, soft spoken boy being

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a werewolf was something else 
entirely. 

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It felt wrong somehow, to lump 
him in, lump him in with the 

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same creatures that lurked in 
the forbidden coroners of 

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wizarding society. 
Regulars wanted to believe it 

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was all just a coincidence, but 
deep down he knew the truth was 

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coming. 
When morning came, Regulus, 

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bleary eyed and tense, dragged 
Barty out of bed with a feeble 

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excuse that he was starving and 
they needed to hurry to 

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breakfast. 
It was a flimsy lie, and he knew

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it. 
Regulus often forgot to eat and 

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his mind was preoccupied, and 
Barty knew him well enough to 

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catch on. 
But Barty didn't press. 

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After almost a year of being 
friends, he had learned that 

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Regulus sometimes avoided 
questions deliberately. 

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There were walls around 
Regulus's thoughts once. 

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He rarely let anyone through, 
and though it irked Barty at 

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times, he had come to accept it.
So when they arrived at the 

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Great Hall, the first to sit 
down, Barty simply shrugged and 

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began eating. 
Wow, you really were hungry. 

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Barty mumbled between mouthfuls,
glancing and Regulus's untouched

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plate piled high with food. 
Regulus didn't respond. 

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His eyes were locked onto the 
doors leading into the Great 

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Hall, waiting. 
He couldn't even pretend to eat,

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not now. 
He was waiting for the 

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Gryffindor boys to walk through 
these doors, and more 

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importantly, for Remus Lupin to 
either appear or confirm his 

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worst fears by staying absent. 
The truth was, there was a 

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strange mix of emotions boiling 
under the surface. 

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Part of him wanted to be right. 
He was, after all, impressed 

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with himself for figuring it out
alone through his own 

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observations, no external help. 
But the other part of him 

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dreaded the confirmation. 
Being right meant knowing 

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something dark and personal, 
something that could ruin 

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someone's life if it got out. 
Werewolves were feared, 

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ostracized, and treated like 
monsters, and while regulars had

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grown up surrounded by dark 
magic and even darker secrets, 

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this felt different. 
It wasn't just a theoretical 

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danger or a family tradition. 
This was someone else's truth, 

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someone else's pain. 
The moment finally arrived. 

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The Great Hall doors swung open 
and in stroll Sirius, his usual 

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swagger unfolded his play. 
He pushed the doors open as if 

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he owned the castle, with James 
right behind him, laughing about

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laughing about something. 
Peter followed, eyes darting 

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around nervously as always, but 
there was no Remus. 

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Regulus's stomach twisted as he 
stared at the trio, his chest 

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tightening. 
Shit. 

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He muttered under his breath, 
his heart sinking, but his ears 

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perked up. 
What? 

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He asked, his voice low as he 
followed Regulus's gaze. 

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Something with your brother? 
He sounded less irritated than 

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before. 
Sensing Regulus's unease, 

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Regulus seized the opportunity. 
Yeah. 

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He said quickly, forcing his 
eyes away from the Gryffindor 

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table and the absence of one 
particular boy. 

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It's nothing, though. 
You sure you know you can talk 

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to me? 
Barty asked, frowning slightly. 

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He had a knack for knowing when 
regulars was holding something 

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back, even if he didn't always 
push for answers. 

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Regulus shifted uncomfortably, 
avoiding Barty's probing gaze. 

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He wasn't used to people's 
caring this much, not since 

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serious anyway, and that had 
only ended in disappointment. 

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But seeing Barty now, with 
genuine concern in his eyes, 

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Regulus felt a pang of guilt. 
He knew he kept things from his 

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friends. 
He lied, nodded questions, 

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evaded their attempts to get 
close. 

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But this wasn't his secret to 
share. 

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This was something that could 
ruin Remus if it got out. 

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Maybe he would have preferred 
never knowing it in the first 

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place. 
I know. 

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Regolus said softly, glancing 
down at his still full plate. 

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Thanks, Party. 
Really, any time? 

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Barty replied, his tone lighter 
but still sincere. 

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Regulus forced a smile, but 
inside his thoughts were 

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spinning. 
He was now faced with a truth 

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that wasn't his to carry, but he
couldn't forget it either. 

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The March full moon had passed 
and the mystery of Eva's Lupin 

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was no longer a mystery. 
The boy was a werewolf. 

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Now Regulus had to decide what 
he would do with that knowledge.

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Later that evening, Regulus and 
Barty joined Astrid and Callista

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in the Slytherin common room, 
where the girls were already 

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buried in their textbooks, 
preparing for the end of year 

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exams despite the fact that they
were still weeks away. 

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Barty had laughed when they 
mentioned it, and though Regulus

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felt the same, he was better at 
maintaining politeness. 

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We'll see who's laughing when 
the when we get our test results

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back. 
Callista had shot back, always 

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quick to defend herself. 
Usually she would have had a 

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point, but regulars knew Barty 
well. 

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His friend was sharp, often 
smarter than people gave him 

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credit for, with or without 
studying. 

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It was just another difference 
between them and the others. 

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As the night wore on, the girls 
were absorbed, absorbed in their

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study materials while Barty 
challenged himself in a solo 

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game of wizard chess. 
Regulus, however, found it hard 

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to focus on anything but the 
thoughts that had consumed him 

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all week. 
Remus Lupin and the secret he 

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now knew. 
He wondered if the marauders 

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knew. 
Had Remus told them? 

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He doubted it. 
Serious, for all his boldness. 

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Often failed to notice things. 
Often failed to notice things 

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unless they concerned him 
directly. 

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It was hard to imagine Serious, 
so consumed with his bond with 

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James, would have picked up on 
something like this. 

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Maybe Reckless was the only one 
who had noticed, but aside from 

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the teachers, they must know 
they took Reema somewhere safe 

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during the full moon, after all.
Where they took him was a 

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different question entirely, but
Hercules couldn't help but feel 

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the itch to find out. 
Daydreaming, Are we black? 

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The voice snapped Regulus out of
his thoughts. 

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He looked up to see Evan Rosier 
and Robeson the Strange looming 

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over him, smug expressions on 
their faces. 

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Regulus straightened in his seat
and quickly ran a hand through 

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his hair, unwilling to give them
any more ammunition for teasing.

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How long did it take you to come
up with that one? 

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Evan? 
Barty's voice cut in, his 

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eyebrow raised in mock 
curiosity. 

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Evan was just about to be taught
when Robesdon placed a hand on 

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his shoulder, a gesture that 
reminded regulars of a trainer 

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holding back an aggressive dog. 
It only made Barty more 

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satisfied, a look Evan didn't 
miss. 

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Come on Black, I need to talk to
you. 

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Robesdon said, wearing a smug 
smile as if he were royalty 

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summoning a servant. 
Regulus glanced at Barty, then 

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at Ostrich. 
He was sitting nearby and 

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suddenly seemed very interested 
in her book. 

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He knew that she didn't like 
Robustan. 

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During one of their late night 
conversations, she had admitted 

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that she was afraid of him. 
Rightfully so, in Regulus's 

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opinion. 
Then talk. 

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Regulus said coolly, gesturing 
for Robustan to continue. 

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He had no patience for 
Robustan's dramatics tonight, 

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not with his mind so 
preoccupied. 

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Robiston's expression hardened, 
and he glanced around pointedly.

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Only the sacred families, 
actually. 

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His gaze lingered on Barty and 
Astrid. 

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Astrid kept her head down, 
pretending to be occupied, while

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Barty stared back at Robiston 
with thinly veiled contempt, 

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clearly taking the remark as a 
personal insult. 

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Visually, he was seething, but 
Robiston just smirked. 

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Regulus sighed, feeling the 
tension rise and stood up, eager

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to get this over with. 5 
minutes. 

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Regulus said, his voice edged 
with the patience. 

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Robustan looked pleased enough, 
though Evan was still glaring at

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him like there were sworn 
enemies. 

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Before leaving, Robustan turned 
his gaze to Calista, who had 

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barely registered the 
conversation. 

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No thank you. 
She said wisely, not even 

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bothering to look up. 
Robuston's near faltered 

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slightly, but he and Evan 
quickly turned away, 

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uninterested in anyone but 
Regulars, apparently. 

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Robuston flashed Callista an 
ironic smile before heading 

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toward a storm with Evan and 
Regulars trailing behind him. 

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Once they reached the room, 
Robuston closed the door with a 

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deliberate click. 
Turning to face Regulars, he 

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took a tall, looming stance, 
positioning himself directly in 

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front of Regulus, eyes glinting 
with a sense of superiority. 

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Robeson always had a knack for 
making himself seem more 

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important than he actually was, 
and this time was no exception. 

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Well, Black. 
He began, his voice dripping 

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with satisfaction. 
Never thought I'd have the 

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actual error in here. 
Regulus frowned, confused. 

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Sorry, haven't you heard? 
Word is the blood traitor is 

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getting disowned. 
You're the new heir. 

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Regolus's mind stuttered to a 
halt. 

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What? 
That couldn't be true. 

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Robustan had to be making it up 
for some twisted reason. 

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He quickly glanced between the 
two boys, Robustan with his 

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smug, satisfied smile and Avon 
glaring at him from the sight as

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if daring him to deny it. 
I'm not. 

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Regular said, shaking his head 
slightly, more trying to 

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convince himself than anyone 
else. 

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Serious as the air. 
For now, Robber stands out 

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smoothly, but a few more 
missteps and you're in line. 

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He clapped a hand on Regulus's 
shoulder, much like he had the 

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day they were first sorted into 
Slytherin. 

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Back then, Robustan had been 
proud, too eager to claim 

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Regulus as a future ally. 
That hadn't lasted long, once 

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Robustan realised Regulus had no
interest in being his friend or 

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anyone's puppet. 
My parents are just saying that 

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as a threat. 
Regulus muttered, his voice 

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uncertain. 
They wouldn't actually disown 

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serious. 
Robeson and Evan exchanged a 

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knowing look, as if they were 
Privy to some secret regulars. 

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Wasn't. 
The way their eyes communicated 

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so easily unsettled him, gnawing
at his already shaky confidence.

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Sure. 
Luck. 

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Robeson said with the air of 
someone indulging in child's 

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fantasy. 
But once you are the air, the 

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Dark Lord would be very 
interested in you. 

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The Dark Lord Regulus systemic 
chant. 

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He struggled to maintain his 
composure, to not let the panic 

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creeping into his chest show on 
his face. 

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Robeson must have sensed his 
hesitation because he pressed 

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on. 
You will need our help once that

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happens. 
Someone who has your back, 

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right? 
Rosie Evident granted an 

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agreement, though he seemed far 
less enthusiastic about the 

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whole conversation than 
Robustan. 

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He looked almost bored, as if 
this entire charade wasn't worth

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his time, but that only made 
Robustan's eagerness more 

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apparent. 
Suddenly, everything clicked 

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into place for Regulus. 
The talk of the air, the Dark 

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Lord's interest. 
It wasn't about family loyalty 

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or bloodlines. 
Robert Stan just wanted a 

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foothold to the Black family, 
using regulars as a way to 

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elevate his own standing. 
Regulars had seen this before. 

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The moment there was a roof of 
power, people like Robustan 

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flocked to it like moth to a 
flame, ready to latch, ready to 

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latch onto whoever could give 
them an edge. 

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Regulars almost laughed loud at 
how transparent it all was, all 

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the past insults, the teasing, 
the passionising, completely 

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forgotten now that Robustan 
thought Regulus might become the

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new heir. 
Which he wouldn't, Regulus 

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thought bitterly. 
Thank you very much, I think I 

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can handle it, Regulus said, 
letting a calm, confident smile 

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slip across his face. 
Robustan blinked, clearly thrown

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off. 
Sorry, I said I think I'll 

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manage. 
Regulus repeated, his tone light

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but pointed. 
And I have party. 

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But thanks for the offer, really
liked your pitch. 

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The sarcasm in his voice was 
impossible to miss, and 

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Robeson's face flushed red with 
a mixture of anger and 

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embarrassment. 
Regulus could almost see the 

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gears turning in his head, 
trying to process the rejection.

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He clearly hadn't expected this.
Without waiting for Robeson to 

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recover, Regulus sidestepped the
two of them and headed to the 

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door. 
He had his hand on the door 

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knob, ready to leave when Evan 
finally spoke for the first time

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in the whole conversation. 
You're going to regret that, 

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Black. 
Evan said, his voice lower and 

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more serious than regulars had 
ever heard it. 

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You will have no one. 
It wasn't a threat. 

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Evan didn't sound angry or 
spiteful. 

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If anything, his tone was 
genuine, like he was trying to 

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offer a warning or maybe even 
advice. 

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Regulus paused for just a 
second, contemplating Evan's 

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words, but then he shook his 
head and opened the door, 

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walking out without a backward 
glance. 

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Today would not be the day that 
he would suddenly listen to 

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anything Evan Rosie had to say. 
With Evans words still lingering

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in his mind, Regulus made his 
way to his bedroom, hoping to 

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find Barty there. 
He needed something, anything to

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take his mind off the unsettling
encounter with Robustan and 

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Evan. 
As he suspected, Barty was 

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sitting on his bed looking 
restless, levitating a piece of 

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parchment lazily into the air 
with his wand. 

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The moment Regulus entered, 
Barty dropped the parchment, his

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attention shifting instantly 
towards his friend. 

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You OK? 
Barty asked, his eyes narrowing 

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slightly with concern. 
He could always tell when 

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something was bothering 
reckless, even if the Slytherin 

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never said it, said it out loud.
I'm fine, just the usual 

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bullshit from those two. 
Regulus said as he sat down next

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to Barty on the bed, trying to 
push away the unease that had 

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settled in his chest. 
Barty nodded in response, 

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accepting the explanation 
without prying further. 

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They sat there in silence for a 
few moments, the quiet between 

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them feeling comfortable, 
familiar, but Regulus couldn't 

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shake the thoughts swelling in 
his mind. 

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He glanced over at Barty, and 
before he could stop himself, 

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the questions spilled out. 
We're friends, right? 

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It felt like a steeply question 
the second he said it. 

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They had called each other 
friends plenty of times before, 

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but for some reason Regler still
felt unsure of what the what 

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that truly meant. 
His family had twisted the 

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concept of friendship and 
loyalty so many times that he 

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didn't know what it actually 
meant. 

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00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,360
Yes, stupid. 
But his head of the chuckle, 

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00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:02,280
amused by the sudden seriousness
of the question. 

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00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:05,000
Why? 
You don't think we are? 

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00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:09,960
Regulus gave a half smile, but 
then quickly turned serious 

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00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:13,240
again. 
Do you think we'll be friends 

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forever? 
Like, no matter what happens? 

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00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,160
But. 
He looked at him, clearly 

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confused, but also sensing that 
there was something more to the 

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00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:24,560
question than Regulus was 
letting on. 

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I hope so. 
Barty replied slowly, unsure 

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00:19:30,640 --> 00:19:32,320
where this conversation was 
heading. 

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00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:36,920
Regulus shifted slightly, 
feeling the weight of his own 

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00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:43,080
thoughts pressing down on him. 
Even if things change, or like I

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00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:46,880
change. 
His voice was quiet, hesitant, 

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00:19:47,400 --> 00:19:49,280
as if he was afraid of the 
answer. 

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00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:53,560
The weight of his family's 
expectations, the darkness 

303
00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:57,200
creeping into his future and the
secret about reamers were 

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00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,280
gnawing at him. 
He was scared. 

305
00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:03,880
And if he was being honest with 
himself, he didn't want to face 

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00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:08,960
any of it alone. 
Barty tilted his head, his brow 

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00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:13,080
furrowed in confusion. 
Then I'll change with you, Reg. 

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00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:17,040
He said it simply, like it was 
the most obvious thing in the 

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00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:20,680
world. 
Then, with a soft smile, he 

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00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,000
draped an arm around Regulus's 
shoulders. 

311
00:20:24,360 --> 00:20:26,600
Reckless wasn't used to this 
kind of affection. 

312
00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:30,600
The Blacks weren't the hugging 
type, and Reckless had always 

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00:20:30,600 --> 00:20:33,600
kept a careful distance from 
anyone trying to get too close. 

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00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:39,680
But Barty, Barty was different. 
It felt good to have someone 

315
00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:43,800
beside him, someone who didn't 
demand explanations or force him

316
00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:48,400
to speak when he didn't want to.
Someone who just understood. 

317
00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:53,120
Thanks, Barty. 
Wriggles muttered, leaning ever 

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00:20:53,120 --> 00:20:54,960
so slightly into his friend's 
touch. 

319
00:20:56,360 --> 00:21:00,120
What are best mates for? 
Barty said, grinning as if it 

320
00:21:00,120 --> 00:21:03,880
was the simplest thing in the 
world In that moment. 

321
00:21:04,000 --> 00:21:07,080
Barty's words were like a 
lifeline for Regulus, A 

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00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:09,960
comforting reassurance that no 
matter what happened with his 

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00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:14,040
family were serious or with a 
weight of expectations crashing 

324
00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:17,360
down on him, he wouldn't have to
phrase it all on his own. 

325
00:21:18,240 --> 00:21:20,320
He had Barty, and that was 
enough. 

326
00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:25,840
Maybe if Regulus knew what Barty
would eventually do for him, the

327
00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:29,480
sacrifices that he would make, 
maybe he would have stopped him.

328
00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:33,760
But for now, he was just a 
child. 

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00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:37,480
A child who so desperately 
needed his friend.