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Chapter 35 Second Year Promise 
Christmas Day 1973 The morning 

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of the meeting was as cold and 
quiet as the one before. 

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Regulars woke up to pare light 
to seeping in through the 

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curtains and the faint sound of 
Creatures shuffling footsteps as

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the elf arranged breakfast 
downstairs. 

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It was hardly a Christmas 
morning, nothing cheerful or 

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warm about it, but this time 
Creature sat with him at the 

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table. 
Regulus had insisted twice, and 

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Creature had had reluctantly 
obeyed, sitting perched at the 

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very edge of the chair as though
he might vanish at any moment. 

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The meal was mostly silent. 
Creature watched him eat, his 

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large eyes flicking up every so 
often, as though waiting for 

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regulars to say something. 
And he nearly did. 

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He nearly asked Creature to come
sit upstairs with him for a 

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while, to keep the empty house 
from swallowing him a whole. 

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But he didn't, because today 
wasn't the day for lingering in 

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bed or losing himself in his 
thoughts. 

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Today was important. 
Today was the meeting, the one 

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Rubber Stan had whispered about 
a month ago with a gleam in his 

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eye, his voice low and 
secretive. 

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Something big was happening, 
something that his parents 

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clearly deemed significant 
enough to involve him in. 

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His mother had laid out his 
clothes on the bed, a black 

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dress robe edged in green and 
silver, stiff, stiflingly formal

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but sharp, Immaculate, fit for 
the air of the Black family. 

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Regulus stared at it for a long 
moment before finally dressing, 

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his fingers fumbling over the 
silver clasps. 

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He spent longer than usual 
fixing his hair, brushing it 

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down in perfect lines. 
He ate more than he wanted for 

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breakfast, though each bite felt
like lead. 

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Anything to keep himself busy, 
anything to keep his hands from 

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shaking. 
Once he was fully dressed, he 

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paced his room in endless 
circles, his shoes clicking 

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softly against the wooden floor.
Who would be there? 

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What would they talk about? 
Would they expect him to speak? 

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His mind raced, every thought 
faster than the last until it 

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all began to blow together. 
He didn't hear Creature knock, 

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just the soft creak of the door 
and the elf's voice, timid but 

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clear. 
Ye are being called upon Master 

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Regolus to come downstairs. 
Regulars stopped pacing at once.

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Their home? 
Yes, Master. 

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Creature hovered in the doorway 
as Regulars glanced at himself 

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in the mirror one last time. 
He barely recognised the boy 

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looking back at him. 
He looked cold, the sharp line 

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of his jaw far too much like his
father's. 

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It was Sirius's face he tried to
see instead. 

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Sirius, who always managed to 
look like he was alive even when

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wearing the same stiff robes. 
But there was no trace of him 

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here now, just reckless. 
Thank you, creature. 

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He said quietly, smoothing his 
sleeves before stepping past him

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and heading downstairs. 
His parents were waiting for him

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in the drawing room, 2 tall and 
posing figures. 

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They hadn't changed in the 
moment they picked him up at the

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station. 
His mother's gaze swept over him

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head to toe, her expression 
unreadable. 

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You look well, regulars. 
Good. 

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There was no warmth in her 
voice, just cool observation. 

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Reckless inclined his head. 
Thank you, mother, come along 

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now. 
She said briskly, and Reckless 

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followed them through the 
hallway, his father holding the 

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port key, an old rustled 
Candlestick that looked too 

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insignificant to take them 
anywhere important. 

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Orion barely glanced at him as 
he spoke, voice low and sharp. 

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Listen carefully now, boy. 
Do not speak unless spoken to. 

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Do not leave our sight and do 
not embarrass us. 

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Yes, father, I won't. 
He barely had time to brace 

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himself before the port key 
activated that sickening yank 

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behind his navel, pulling him 
through his base until his feet 

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hit solid ground. 
Regolus stumbled slightly, but 

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straightened at once, blinking 
up at the towering shadow of the

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estranged Manor. 
It loomed even darker than grim 

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old place The Spire is scraping 
against the grey sky like claws.

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He'd been here once before, for 
Bellatrix's wedding. 

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Even then, he'd hated it. 
The halls had seemed endless, 

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cavernous, each one adorned with
more house elves heads than the 

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last. 
Serious had once whispered that 

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the strangers collected them. 
Regulars had nearly been sick at

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the thought. 
Orion started forward 

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immediately, his strides precise
and purposeful, as though even 

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walking incorrectly might 
disgrace the family name. 

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Regulars moved to follow, but 
his mother's Bony hand caught 

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his shoulder, holding him still 
for a moment. 

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Do not disappoint me, Regulars. 
Her fingers squeezed just 

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slightly before she let go, 
leaving a cold impression on his

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skin. 
Regularly straightened, square 

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out his shoulders and nodded. 
Yes, Mother. 

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The walk to the meeting hall 
felled endless, every corridor 

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locked the same. 
Every corridor looked the same, 

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fast and windowless, the shadows
stretching out ahead of them 

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like hands. 
Regulus kept his gaze forward, 

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refusing to let himself falter. 
It wasn't until they stopped 

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before a pair of heavy wooden 
doors, murmurs bleeding through 

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from the other side, that his 
father spoke again. 

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Go on, boy. 
Regulus hesitated, just for a 

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second. 
Then he took a deep breath, 

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pushed the door open, and 
stepped inside. 

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The sound of his footsteps 
echoed sharply against the 

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marble floor as he entered, 
every eye in the room snapping 

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toward him at once. 
The hall was enormous, packed 

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with at least 100 whizzers and 
witches, all dressed in dark 

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robes that blended into one 
endless black mass. 

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Murgulus froze under their gaze,
the weight of her pressing down 

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on him until he failed to faint.
His push at his back, his 

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mother's hand guiding him 
forward. 

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He forced himself to move. 
The families were gathered in 

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grapes along the edges of the 
room, the familiar ones easy to 

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pick out. 
There was Calista, standing 

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stiffly beside her sister and 
parents. 

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Regulars barely caught a glimpse
of her, but it was enough to 

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notice how small she looked. 
Her usual poise were placed by 

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downcast eyes and slumped 
shoulders. 

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The Blacks moved all the way to 
the front, stopping beside 

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Bellatrix and her husband. 
He stood, flanking an ornate, 

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thrown like chair. 
Regulus swallowed thickly as he 

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took his place. 
People were still staring, 

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though most looked away the 
moment he met their eyes. 

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That's when he saw Evan Rosier 
standing further back with his 

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family. 
Evan wasn't watching him. 

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His gaze was locked straight 
ahead, his face impassive, as 

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though he didn't see any of 
this, as though none of it 

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mattered. 
Regulus envied him for that, for

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the way he stood so still and 
unaffected while Regulars. 

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His pulse thundered in his ears 
and his hands curled tightly at 

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him. 
The room began to quiet down as 

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though it were holding its 
breath, every rustle of fabric 

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and creak of shoes vanishing 
into a heavy, unexpected 

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silence. 
All eyes stayed fixed on the 

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door Regulars had just entered 
through their collective gaze, 

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like a wage pressing against his
back. 

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Then came the sound of tiny 
footsteps pattering across the 

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marble, Benedrick's house elf 
scurrying toward the great 

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doors. 
For a moment, Regulars thought 

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the elf would struggle, but its 
frail frame managed to drag the 

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heavy door open. 
The room seemed to exhale, 

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though the tension only grew 
worse as the figure on the other

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side stepped through. 
A man, tall, powerful, and 

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impossible to look away from. 
His very presence seemed to 

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swallow the room whole, the 
sharp click of his boots echoing

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off the walls like drum beats. 
Regulus had seen him before, 

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everyone in the Black family 
had, but seeing him at a 

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distance and standing in his 
shadow were two very different 

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things. 
He didn't need an introduction, 

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everyone already knew who he 
was. 

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As he walked the length of the 
room, the gathered families 

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began to kneel 1 by 1, heads 
bowed as though in prayer. 

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Beatrix was the first to drop to
her knee, graceful and precise 

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as always. 
Regulus's parents followed 

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immediately after, and team 
mirrored them, sinking down even

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though the cold marble bit 
through his dress robes. 

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Not a sound accompanied the 
man's steps, No whispers, no 

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rustle of robes until he reached
the throne. 

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The massive chair seemed made 
for him, ornate and dark, its 

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high back stretching up like a 
shadow. 

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He sat, calm and deliberate, and
was only then the crowd rose 

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again, though no one dared make 
a sound. 

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The man's gaze swept across the 
room slowly, like he was 

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counting them. 
His voice, when he finally 

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spoke, sent a shiver crawling 
down Regulus's spine. 

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Welcome, everyone. 
The riots came low and steady, 

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spoken softly but amplified 
somehow, as if the air itself 

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carried his voice. 
A whisper turned Thunder. 

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And thank you for joining me 
today. 

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Regulus glanced sideways at his 
father, whose face was fixed in 

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an expression of quiet pride, a 
small smile chugging at his 

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lips. 
It was a smile Regulus had never

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been the recipient of, and 
somehow seeing it now directed 

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elsewhere met something tighten 
in his chest. 

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I am so pleased the man 
continued to see so many of us 

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here today, so many loyal faces 
and so many new ones. 

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His words hung for a moment, 
deliberate, as his eyes 

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travelled the room. 
Especially the next generation. 

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On the far side of the hall, 
Rubberstand estranged, 

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straightened his back and puffed
out his chest, his lips 

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quivering in a smug, practiced 
smile. 

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Regulus didn't need to look 
twice to know exactly what 

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Rubberstone was thinking. 
Notice me acknowledged me, and 

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he hated for just a moment how 
likely it was that Robeson would

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get what he wanted, but the 
man's gaze passed him over, 

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sweeping past Robeson as though 
he were nothing. 

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He kept looking, quiet and 
unblinking, and didn't stop 

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until Regoli's black No, no, no,
no, come here, son. 

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The man and extended his hand, 
Bony white as bone Shiner, and 

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Regulus's pearls thundered in 
his ears. 

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He couldn't move, he couldn't 
breathe. 

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His shoes felt like they'd been 
glued to the marble floor. 

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It was his mother who moved 
first, her hand pressing lightly

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against his back, firm but 
careful, as though she were 

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nudging a chess piece into 
place. 

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The push sent him forward, and 
he couldn't stop himself from 

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moving. 
His feet carried him, one Step 

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2, steps 3, and as he walked, he
could feel Robinson's gaze like 

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a dagger. 
It wasn't just jealousy, it was 

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rage, like Regulus had stolen 
something from him. 

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He pushed the thought away, 
ignored the heaviness in his 

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chest and focused on the man in 
front of him. 

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Regulus stopped a few feet away,
chin tilted up just enough to 

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seem confident. 
His mother's voice echoed 

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faintly in his mind. 
Straighten your back, Hold your 

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chin high. 
And he obeyed, forcing himself 

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to meet the man's gaze. 
The man studied him for a long 

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moment, that pale hand, still 
outstretched, waiting. 

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Finally, Regulus reached forward
and took it. 

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The hand was ice cold. 
Regulus, the man said, his mouth

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curving into something that 
might have been smile the 

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youngest black son. 
I have heard many good things. 

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Regolus swallowed, his throat 
dry, but didn't let his 

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expression falter. 
Thank you, Sir. 

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His voice didn't shake, he made 
sure of it. 

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The man released his hand, 
though his gaze didn't soften. 

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Your father speaks highly of 
you, you know. 

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Regulus glanced toward Ryan. 
He was watching the exchange 

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with a calm pride that made 
Regulus's stomach twist. 

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Ye, you are clever. 
The man continued. 

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And diligent, quiet, but 
watchful. 

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These are traits of value, 
traits that make you promising. 

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The word lingered in the air, 
heavy and inescapable, 

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promising, as though regulars 
were an investment being 

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weighed, a tool to be sharpened.
It made him feel good. 

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He bowed his head ever so 
slightly and forced himself to 

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smile. 
I will do my best, Sir, he said.

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The man's lips curled into 
something closer to 

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satisfaction. 
I am sure you will. 

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There was a pause, then the 
man's gaze moved past Regulus, 

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back toward the crowd. 
The next generation will be what

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defines us. 
He said, voice loud again, 

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filling every corner of the 
room. 

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And it is our duty to ensure 
they are prepared to carry our 

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legacy forward. 
Regulus's stomach turned at the 

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00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:47,000
word legacy. 
He glanced sideways. 

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00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:51,320
Robustan still stood, routed to 
the spot, his fists clenched at 

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his sights. 
Belatrix, by contrast, was 

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00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:57,760
glowing with pride, watching the
man on the throne like he'd hung

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the stars in the sky. 
Regulus looked down at his 

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00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:05,720
hands, perfectly still at his 
sights even as his poles raised.

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00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:09,880
He could hear whispers around 
him now, just a few murmurs, 

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00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:13,760
quiet and approving. 
His father's voice echoed in his

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00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,400
memory. 
Do not embarrass us. 

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00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:24,640
And he hadn't the facade held. 
Go on, Regulus, The man said 

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00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:27,040
softly, like he was dismissing 
him. 

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00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,920
Regulus nodded once, then turned
on his heel and walked back to 

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00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:35,000
his parents. 
His steps were slow, measured, 

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00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:37,600
each one echoing against the 
marble. 

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00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:39,880
Just as the man had minutes 
before. 

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00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,120
He didn't let himself falter 
until he was back at his place 

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00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:48,960
beside his mother. 
God, She whispered so faintly 

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00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,680
that no one else would hear. 
Regulus didn't respond. 

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00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:57,280
He stood tall and still, keeping
his eyes forward as though his 

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00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,880
heart weren't still pounding 
against to the ribs. 

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00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:03,560
Promising. 
The word played in his mind 

250
00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:06,880
again, over and over like a 
cruel joke. 

251
00:17:08,079 --> 00:17:11,839
He didn't feel promising. 
He felt like a boy, barely 

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00:17:11,839 --> 00:17:15,920
keeping his head above water, 
but at the same time, it made 

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00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:19,359
him full of pride. 
His mother's words in his ears, 

254
00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:23,839
his father's words about him to 
the Dark Lord, it made him feel 

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00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:31,960
good, like a good son. 
The crowd had begun to thin, 

256
00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,520
leaving behind an unsettling 
stillness in the ground hall. 

257
00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:39,960
Only the most important families
remained, Regulus's parents 

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00:17:39,960 --> 00:17:44,400
among them, those left behind. 
The children of these families 

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00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:49,240
were herded into the adjacent 
room like cattle, the heavy oak 

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00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:54,040
doors sealing them insight. 
The contrast was striking, from 

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00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:57,560
the ominous presence of the Dark
Lord and the stifling weight of 

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00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:01,240
expectation, to a room full of 
tense, unsupervised teenagers 

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00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,600
who watched each other like 
predators, each calculating 

264
00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:09,440
their place in the hierarchy. 
Regular stood near the wall, 

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00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:13,480
arms crossed, blending into the 
shadows as he surveyed the room.

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00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:18,240
The tension was palpable, an 
unspoken understanding that any 

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00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:22,600
wrong move could mean disaster. 
Callista had left with her 

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00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,440
family, taking her cool, 
composed presence with her 

269
00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:29,040
regulars. 
Wasn't sure if that was better 

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00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:31,720
or worse. 
The room now felt smaller, 

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00:18:31,960 --> 00:18:34,680
filled only with faces he'd 
rather not deal with. 

272
00:18:36,720 --> 00:18:40,240
In the far corner. 
Said Severus, nape hunched in 

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00:18:40,240 --> 00:18:43,880
the chair, his sharp features 
illuminated by the light of a 

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00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,560
flickering lump. 
He didn't look up, his hooked 

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00:18:47,560 --> 00:18:51,680
nose buried in a book or with a 
book, and beside him lay 

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00:18:51,680 --> 00:18:54,440
scattered parchments filled with
scald notes. 

277
00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:58,080
Regulars didn't need to look 
closer to know what they were. 

278
00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:00,840
The dilimacy. 
Snape's obsession. 

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00:19:01,680 --> 00:19:05,040
If he was still taking notes, 
that meant he hadn't succeeded 

280
00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:09,800
yet. 
Against the firewall leaned Evan

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00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:12,800
Rosie. 
His arms were folded, head 

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00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:16,200
tipped downward. 
His light hair failed, falling 

283
00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:19,400
to obscure his face. 
He looked like he wanted to 

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00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:22,800
disappear, though Regulus 
suspected he was far more aware 

285
00:19:22,800 --> 00:19:24,640
of everything in the room than 
he let on. 

286
00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:28,440
Regulus eyes lingered on him a 
moment longer than they should 

287
00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:30,560
have. 
They hadn't spoken since the 

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00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:34,840
changing room incident, and 
Regulus hadn't quite worked out 

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00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:39,920
what to say of anything at all. 
The silence was broken. 

290
00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:43,800
Black. 
Regulus stiffened at the sound 

291
00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,120
of Robustan's less Strange's, 
Robustan less stranger's voice. 

292
00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:50,360
He didn't need to turn around to
know what was coming. 

293
00:19:51,960 --> 00:19:55,880
Robustan crossed the room with 
quick, purposeful strides, his 

294
00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:59,760
face contorted and anger. 
Before regulars could react, 

295
00:19:59,920 --> 00:20:03,520
Robustan grabbed him roughly by 
the collar, shoving him back a 

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00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:05,360
step. 
Let go. 

297
00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:08,840
Regulus grunted, wrenching 
himself free with a sharp tug. 

298
00:20:09,520 --> 00:20:11,360
He smothered his robes 
instinctively. 

299
00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,600
Glaring daggers at Robustan, he 
stood so stood tall, sneering. 

300
00:20:16,760 --> 00:20:20,920
Don't get too comfortable back. 
Robustan spat, his lip curling. 

301
00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:24,280
The dark Lord warned. 
Full for your tactics forever. 

302
00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:28,520
Regulus scoffed, though his 
heart was pounding in his chest.

303
00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:31,160
Are you jealous of a kid, 
Robustan? 

304
00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,120
He shot back, his voice steadier
than he felt. 

305
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:38,640
Robustan's expression darkened. 
Why would I be jealous of a 

306
00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:41,480
bloodsheder? 
I'm not a bloodsheder. 

307
00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,680
The word slipped out, sharp and 
offensive, before Megalus could 

308
00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:49,400
stop himself. 
He knew he sounded childish, and

309
00:20:49,400 --> 00:20:53,360
he hated it. 
Robeson's sneer widened. 

310
00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:59,360
Well, your filthy brother is. 
Do you ever short up, Robesdon? 

311
00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:04,160
The voice came from behind, 
unexpected and coolly 

312
00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:07,960
disinterested. 
Both boys turned to find Evan 

313
00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:11,440
Rosie approaching, his hands 
still casually stuffed in his 

314
00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:15,360
pockets. 
Regulus blinked, taken aback. 

315
00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:19,040
Of all the people to intervene, 
Evan would have been his last 

316
00:21:19,040 --> 00:21:21,600
guess. 
Robustan clearly didn't know how

317
00:21:21,600 --> 00:21:24,920
to take it either, his face 
twisting into an incredulous 

318
00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,360
glare. 
What's your problem, Rosier? 

319
00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:31,520
Robustan snapped, his voice 
dripping with mockery. 

320
00:21:32,800 --> 00:21:36,280
You are. 
Evan replied simply, still 

321
00:21:36,280 --> 00:21:38,880
walking toward them with 
unhurried steps. 

322
00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:42,120
Can you stop moaning like a 
child? 

323
00:21:42,480 --> 00:21:46,240
You're embarrassing yourself. 
The room went still. 

324
00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:50,120
Robesdan faltered for half a 
second, just enough for regulars

325
00:21:50,120 --> 00:21:53,760
to see it, but quickly mastered 
with an angry snarl. 

326
00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:58,160
Don't test me, Rosie. 
Robesdan hissed, stepping 

327
00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:00,720
closer. 
I can get you kicked out of here

328
00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:04,760
within seconds. 
Evan tilted his head, 

329
00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:08,200
unconcerned, his expression 
unreadable. 

330
00:22:09,360 --> 00:22:12,840
We both know that's not true. 
He said calmly. 

331
00:22:13,360 --> 00:22:16,200
The quiet confidence in his 
voice seemed to hit harder than 

332
00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:20,600
any insult. 
Robustan's posture thwarted, his

333
00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:23,840
shoulders dropping slightly as 
his gaze flicked away. 

334
00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:27,880
Regulars watched it all unfold 
with silent fascination. 

335
00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:32,960
He had never seen Robustan so 
thoroughly cut down with so 

336
00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:36,880
little effort. 
Robustan straightened abruptly, 

337
00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:41,280
turning on his heel in a huff. 
I'll see you in school, Rosier. 

338
00:22:41,840 --> 00:22:44,680
He snapped over his storder. 
Be prepared. 

339
00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:50,000
Then, After a pause, he added. 
That goes for you too, Black. 

340
00:22:52,080 --> 00:22:55,000
Regulus didn't react as Rubber 
Stands stormed out of the room, 

341
00:22:55,360 --> 00:22:57,960
slamming the door behind him 
with a dramatic thud. 

342
00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:05,240
A long beat of silence followed.
Evan turned slightly, his gaze 

343
00:23:05,240 --> 00:23:09,520
flickering to Regulus. 
For a moment, neither of them 

344
00:23:09,520 --> 00:23:13,400
spoke. 
Regulus opened his mouth, ready 

345
00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:15,400
to say something. 
Thank you. 

346
00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:18,520
Or what was that? 
But Evan beat him to it. 

347
00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:24,240
See you in school, I guess. 
And just like that, Evan was 

348
00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:25,360
quick to disappear.