Regulus wanted to protect his path of exploration from interference. He wanted to protect the family's businesses from being plundered.
He wanted to protect the clear understanding of this world he had maintained since crossing over, to keep it from being tainted by fanaticism and ignorance.
He wanted to protect the purity inside his own heart.
But this was not the power of the soul. It was not an emotional vow of protection.
It was rational.
He was protecting his own space to survive and grow.
The next instant, resonance formed.
In his awareness, the position of Bellatrix glowed faintly.
Unlike the other four fully ignited stars, this was only a preparatory state, like a newly lit hearth that still needed more fuel before it could blaze.
For now, this was as far as he could go. He could not give more than that.
Regulus seized that state and linked the faint light of Bellatrix to the four-star system.
Originally, the four-star system had been an inner cycle of stable foundation and explosive change.
Now, with Bellatrix added, it became stable foundation, explosive change, and a defensive framework.
Bellatrix did not grant additional magic. It strengthened structure. The entire system felt more solid, more capable of resisting external impact.
The moment Bellatrix connected successfully, Regulus felt a tremor ripple through his magic.
His total magic did not increase.
But something had shifted.
Control became more precise and the magic flow became steadier.
He opened his eyes, raised his wand, and, riding the tremor of magic and the updated system, tried to bypass deep meditation and directly invoke the explosive imagery of Betelgeuse.
"Reducto."
The curse shot forward and struck the stone wall opposite him.
There was no expected explosion.
Instead, spiderweb cracks spread across the impact point. Then the entire section of wall shattered silently into fist-sized chunks of stone, clattering to the floor.
The power was three times that of a standard Reductor Curse.
The cost had only increased by fifty percent.
It was progress. Less waste, greater force.
But a wave of weakness followed.
Mental exhaustion.
Calling upon Betelgeuse's explosive imagery without deep meditation required intense focus and will. It drained the mind quickly.
That single strike had consumed roughly a tenth of his mental strength.
He could not use it often. Not yet.
After one use, he would need time to recover, or it would affect subsequent spellcasting and thought.
He steadied his breathing and considered the improvement.
Star Guided Meditation had completely become his own.
What he had first learned from Astrological Meditation remained only as a skeleton. Everything else had been replaced and refined.
The four-star system, plus the preparatory fifth, was unique. Perfectly aligned with his magical philosophy and inner state.
He felt more certain than ever.
Magical cultivation was not just the accumulation of knowledge and technique.
It was resonance between the inner self and the outer world.
Reason determined direction. Emotion supplied momentum.
Only together could one go further.
Regulus put away his wand and left the Room of Requirement.
The corridor was silent. The castle slept under the night sky.
He returned to the Slytherin dormitory. Cuthbert and Alex were already asleep. Hermes's bed was empty.
He washed, lay down, and closed his eyes.
Star Guided Meditation turned on its own. The four stars revolved slowly in the depths of his awareness. At Bellatrix's position, a faint glimmer waited for the day it would truly ignite.
---
In the first week of February, a light, restless excitement began to flow through the corridors of Hogwarts.
Next weekend, third-years and above would be allowed to visit Hogsmeade.
Older students were planning Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks. Middle years were discussing new sweets at Honeydukes. The younger ones could only listen, their faces caught between envy and anticipation.
After Charms class, Regulus was stopped at a corridor corner by Lucretius Burke.
"Hogsmeade weekend next week." Lucretius's fingers brushed the edge of his Prefect badge. His voice was low.
"Our shop's recently acquired some interesting items. I mentioned before that you should come take a look. This is the perfect opportunity."
Regulus lifted his head and met his gaze.
It had been barely over a month since he had accepted the invitation in the Slytherin common room. Back then, he had said he would visit during the holiday.
Now, only a few weeks into the new term, Lucretius had brought it up again.
This time, he sounded more direct. More urgent.
Had something changed?
"My father is looking forward to it," Lucretius added.
Regulus nodded. He knew he meant the elder Burke.
"I'll need written permission from home."
"Of course." Lucretius's lips curved in a precise smile. "Procedure must be followed. I'll be waiting at the Hogsmeade entrance."
He left decisively, clearly confident Regulus would accept.
Regulus watched him go and thought, If I refused how would you respond?
Back in the Slytherin dormitory, he sat at his desk and spread out parchment. He dipped his quill in ink. The tip hovered for a moment before he began to write.
"Father,
Lucretius Burke has again invited me to visit Borgin and Burkes during next weekend's Hogsmeade trip.
It has been just over a month since the previous invitation. I require a signed permission letter to apply to Professor Slughorn.
Additionally, the Burkes' attitude seems to have shifted. Has anything occurred recently?
Please advise.
Regulus."
He finished, pressed the family seal at the bottom, imprinting the Black crest, then went to the Owlery and handed the letter to his owl.
"Deliver it directly to Father."
At breakfast the next morning, a family owl landed beside Regulus and dropped a reply.
The parchment was thick, its edges gilded. Orion Black's handwriting was steady and restrained.
"Regulus,
Permission enclosed. I will inform Professor Slughorn separately.
Regarding the Burkes: two weeks ago, the Ministry of Magic suddenly established a Special Review Office for Dark Artifacts, led directly by Barty Crouch of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
The review covers all registered transactions involving dark artifacts, with particular focus on cursed and large-scale destructive items.
Borgin and Burkes specializes in such goods and is naturally the primary target.
The review has not yet expanded to Knockturn Alley, but pressure is already spreading.
The Burkes seek to establish contact with me through you, to secure buffering at the level of the Wizengamot or early warning.
This is a transaction, not a favor.
Your visit signals the House of Black's willingness to engage. Specific terms will be negotiated between myself and the elder Burke.
Additionally, instability has arisen in Knockturn Alley due to the review. Some holders of sensitive items are eager to dispose of them. Conflicts have increased.
When you go, enter only the shop. Do not linger in the alley."
Regulus folded the letter and tucked it into his inner pocket.
The Ministry had acted suddenly.
Barty Crouch, known for his severity and efficiency in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
A man who would one day send his own son to Azkaban, later smuggle him out by sacrificing his wife, and eventually die at that same son's hand.
An operation like this did not happen without cause.
Either someone at the top was pushing, or something significant had forced a response.
Regulus considered the possibilities.
Perhaps Voldemort's influence was expanding faster, and the circulation of dark artifacts had increased to a level the Ministry could no longer ignore.
Perhaps Dumbledore's faction had exerted pressure within the Wizengamot to restrict the dark trade.
Or perhaps Crouch himself was accumulating political capital, laying groundwork for a future bid for Minister for Magic.
Regulus understood the general ecology of British wizarding politics.
Factions everywhere. Interests exchanged beneath the surface. The law looked formidable on paper, but enforcement often had flexibility.
Pure-blood families had cultivated the Ministry for generations. There were people in every department.
Usually, reviews of this kind came with advance notice.
This time, there had been no warning.
Unusual.
Either Crouch had bypassed conventional channels and acted directly, or the decision-making level was high enough that even Pure-blood families had no access.
The latter seemed unlikely. The British Ministry did not possess that kind of untouchable upper tier.
Either way, the situation was shifting.
Regulus finished breakfast and left the Great Hall. After afternoon classes, he would need to see Professor Slughorn.
At four o'clock, he knocked on the door of the Potions office.
"Come in!" Slughorn's cheerful voice called from inside.
The office was unchanged.
The air carried the mixed fragrance of expensive potion ingredients. The walls were lined with photographs of famous witches and wizards. Silver instruments gleamed on the desk.
Rare materials filled the shelves. Near the fireplace, a small round table held half a bottle of mead and several plates of sweets.
Professor Slughorn sat in a wide armchair, holding a thick leather ledger. The moment he saw Regulus, his eyes lit up.
"Regulus!" He set the ledger aside and beckoned warmly. "What an honor. Let me think, this is your first voluntary visit this term, isn't it?"
Regulus stepped forward and greeted him politely. "Professor."
"Sit, sit." Slughorn beamed and waved his hand. The chair opposite slid out on its own.
"I've just received your father's letter." He laid the parchment down gently, wearing a knowing smile. "I'm aware of the Hogsmeade matter. The application form is right here, already signed."
He pushed the form across the desk.
"Procedure observed. I'll handle the rest. Off you go."
Regulus thanked him courteously, exchanged farewells, and left the office.