The crushing sensation of Apparition was more intense than Regulus had anticipated.
Orion's magic wrapped steadily around him, making it feel like passing rapidly through a narrow rubber tube; his internal organs were briefly squeezed before everything suddenly opened up the next second.
When his feet hit the ground, the Malfoy family's castle already stood before his eyes.
Moonlight spilled over the ivory-white stone walls, casting a cold luster. The spires pierced straight into the night sky, and the gardens outside the walls were meticulously manicured, with magical lanterns lighting up one after another along the paths.
The castle gates stood wide open, where two neatly dressed house-elves bowed in welcome, the Malfoy family crest embroidered on their collars.
The air was thick with the mixed scent of champagne, roasted chestnuts, and magical spices. The low, melodious sound of string music drifted from afar, fitting the tone of a pure-blood family banquet.
"Quite a few people have arrived." Orion straightened his pitch-black robes, his fingertips brushing the family brooch on his chest. "Follow me, speak little, and observe more."
Regulus nodded, his gaze sweeping over the guest list at the door, which had the surnames of various families embroidered in gold thread.
Lestrange, Carrow, Nott, Yaxley, Cuthbert, Travers, Goyle, Crabbe… these were all families within the Sacred Twenty-Eight whose positions leaned toward Lord Voldemort, along with several representatives from neutral pure-blood families who were clearly there to observe the situation.
Stepping into the main hall, the marble floor was polished to a mirror-like shine, reflecting the magical reliefs on the pillars on both sides.
The reliefs depicted scenes of past Malfoy Heads of House forming pacts with magical creatures like dragons and griffins, their edges gilded with gold.
The furniture in the hall was crafted from dark walnut; the armrests and chair backs were carved with intricate acanthus patterns, and the cushions were silver-green velvet—cool and smooth to the touch, yet perfectly firm.
In the corner stood a man-sized silver sculpture of the first Malfoy Head of House holding a wand; the diamond embedded in the wand's tip could absorb and refract light, casting tiny spots of brilliance onto the floor.
Many people had already gathered in the hall. The colors of their robes were predominantly silver-green, dark green, and deep red. Wizards held champagne glasses while conversing in low voices, and witches' skirts swayed as they occasionally let out soft laughs.
Along the way, people constantly stopped to greet Orion.
"Mr. Black, long time no see." A wizard with a handlebar mustache raised his glass; he was the current head of the Yaxley family. "Regulus?"
"Yaxley," Orion responded with a nod, stepping aside to introduce him. "Regulus."
"A handsome young man." Yaxley's gaze lingered on Regulus for a moment, showing appreciation.
Regulus nodded politely. "Mr. Yaxley."
Walking further, a short, stout wizard came to meet them—it was Old Crabbe.
He was the current head of the Crabbe family, with a seemingly honest smile plastered on his face, though his small eyes hid a shrewdness. He was the type who would always side with the strong.
"Orion." Old Crabbe reached out to shake Orion's hand with a moderate grip, carrying the specific pleasantries shared between pure-blood families.
Orion nodded slightly, his tone so flat that no emotion could be discerned. "Crabbe."
He stepped aside to let Regulus come forward, tilting his chin. "This is Regulus."
Passing through the crowd, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa were standing in the center of the main hall receiving guests.
Lucius was wearing well-tailored silver-green robes, his blonde hair combed meticulously.
He held a wand inlaid with a sapphire in his hand, a reserved smile on his face. He looked high-spirited, every inch of him radiating the current peak influence of the Malfoy family.
Narcissa stood beside him in white robes, her blonde hair gathered into an exquisite bun. Elegant and dignified, she already possessed the poise of a qualified Mistress of the Malfoy family.
"Uncle Orion, Regulus," Narcissa spoke first, her voice soft as her gaze lingered on Regulus for a moment.
"Lucius, Narcissa." Orion raised his hand for a light handshake with Lucius. "Is your father well?"
"Father is resting inside; he'll be out shortly." Lucius's gaze fell on Regulus. "Regulus."
"Mr. Malfoy." Regulus maintained a proper posture.
Lucius shook hands with Regulus, his face full of warmth. "Call me Lucius. Narcissa often speaks of you—the most outstanding Black."
"Lucius." Regulus followed the lead smoothly, wearing a smile as he looked at Narcissa. "Cousin Narcissa."
"Regulus."
Lucius smiled and stepped aside with an inviting gesture. "Please, come inside. The champagne and refreshments are ready."
On a raised platform to one side of the main hall, the string musicians continued to play. Guests gathered in small groups, their topics inseparable from the changes in the Ministry of Magic, Lord Voldemort's movements, and the exchange of interests between various families.
Regulus followed Orion to a corner and took a glass of champagne from a house-elf. His gaze quickly scanned the room, committing everyone's expressions and positions to memory.
This was what Orion had taught him: a social gathering is an intelligence field, and the truth is hidden in the details.
Before long, a commotion broke out as Abraxas Malfoy appeared on the platform.
He was much older than Orion, his hair already turning gray, but he was full of energy. His silver-green robes were embroidered with complex patterns, and the core of the wand in his hand was said to be from a phoenix feather, making it exceptionally powerful.
The chatter below the platform gradually subsided as everyone's eyes turned toward Abraxas.
"Thank you all for coming to Malfoy Manor tonight." Abraxas's voice, amplified by magic, was steady and powerful, carrying the aura of a leader.
"The wizarding world is at a crossroads of change. The old order is crumbling, and a new power is rising.
We, the pure-blood families, holding magic and resources passed down for a thousand years, should rightfully take the lead in this transformation."
His gaze swept over the room as if weighing everyone's worth.
"Some say these are turbulent times, but I believe these are times of opportunity.
The strong set the rules, while the weak depend on them. And we must be the ones who set the rules.
The glory of pure blood did not come from nothing; it was earned by our ancestors with magic, wisdom, and blood. We have the responsibility to continue this glory and even push it to new heights."
"The weakness of the Ministry of Magic has allowed those half-bloods and Muggle-borns to act recklessly, defiling the purity of wizards.
But now, a great wizard is leading us to sweep away the filth and rebuild the order.
As long as we contribute our respective strengths, nothing can block our path."
Abraxas's words weren't exactly radical, but every sentence stirred emotions, binding the interests of pure-blood families to the rise of Lord Voldemort, catering to the thoughts of most people present.
Regulus watched Abraxas calling out loudly, but his heart was filled mostly with indifference.
Abraxas was indeed powerful and possessed clever methods, managing the Malfoy family until it reached its zenith, but he overlooked Lord Voldemort's desire for control and his narrow-minded nature.
Dragon pox had found him just when the Malfoy family's power was at its peak; it was hard not to suspect Lord Voldemort's hand in it.
An ally who was too powerful and difficult to control was never what Lord Voldemort wanted.
As the speech ended, applause rang out in the hall. Abraxas nodded slightly and stepped down from the platform, only to be surrounded by a crowd.
The free social hour began, and the guests dispersed, regrouping into different small circles.
"Regulus."
Regulus turned and saw Avery's father, the Head of the Cuthbert family, leading Avery toward him.
Avery was wearing dark green robes and was a bit more constrained than he was at school. Seeing Regulus, his eyes inevitably showed a hint of closeness.
"Mr. Black, Regulus." Lord Cuthbert was all smiles. "Avery owes much to your care at school."
"Mr. Cuthbert, you're too kind," Regulus responded.
"Regulus, see you at school." Avery's tone had a deliberate stiffness, clearly imitating the adults.
Regulus smiled. "See you at school."
Just as he saw off the Avery father and son, a passionate voice called out: "Regulus!"
Bella was wearing deep red robes, her posture flamboyant, with Rodolphus Lestrange following beside her.
He was tall with a serious expression, yet his eyes carried a fanaticism similar to Bella's.
The two were already engaged and about to be married; both were Lord Voldemort's most loyal followers.
"Cousin Bella, Mr. Lestrange." Regulus nodded reservedly, his tone not particularly warm.
"Look at the pride of our Black family!" Bella grabbed his arm with a bit too much force, her eyes wild with fervor.
Bella raised her voice slightly, drawing several gazes from around them. "That Lord has already noticed you; this is a supreme honor!
We of the Black family should stand at the very front, serving the great cause!"
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