Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Twenty-Seven: On the Right Path?

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Dear Reginold Black,

Your mother and I hope you are faring well and staying out of trouble. You must uphold the honourable name of Black as your older brother is making a mockery of it. Your mother heard from Elsie Rosier's mother that he was dancing with his friends. I do not know what is worse; that they were also boys or that their blood status is appalling, blood traitors and a half-blood. What is your brother thinking? I only know that he will be the death of my sister-in-law. However, I am not entirely unconvinced that he can't be reasoned with, especially since Narcissa has informed me that so far he has not broken his agreement with her in order to see you. My sister-in-law is blinded by her rage which I can understand as she has been the talk of the pureblood families. This scandal with your brother has even gotten an official reprimand sent from a rather important pureblood to your mother about her getting that boy straightened out. I do believe you are the one able to make him see sense. If he does not attend Bellatrix's wedding it will be a scandal all over again and your mother has just gotten the last one to settle down. Honestly a Black in Gryffindor! I knew that boy was trouble but I never imagined he would stoop so low just to get a rise out of your mother. At least they have you to be the sensible one.

Surely you are intelligent enough to see the benefit of having your brother behave this summer. I hate to find out what the physical toll on your mother will be if he doesn't. You must talk to him and get him to agree to at least try to behave. You work on your brother and I will work on Walburga. Both of them have such a temper, they are more similar than they know though they would hate to hear it. I trust you will not let them know of my interference. It always falls on the more logical members of the family to bring order. I know you are still young but from what Narcissa writes you are shaping up to be a dignified young man. Perhaps some of your good influence can rub off on your brother. Just do not let the reverse happen. You must be the stronger influence for the sake of the Black family. I hope your studies have been going well. I have included some chocolate frogs as I hear they are quite the trend nowadays. I have also gifted you fifty galleons as means of encouragement so that you will continue to behave yourself and not make your mother ill as your brother has taken to doing.

Best of luck,

Druella Black

Regulus stared at the first letter he had received from his aunt before opening the newest letter which was much shorter and briefly stated that Aunt Druella had gotten his mother to give Sirius a chance provided he behaved himself. Regulus groaned over his porridge then quickly straightened as Narcissa cleared her throat pointedly. He had to be a 'young gentleman' because Sirius wasn't. How was Regulus ever supposed to get his brother to agree to behave? He would have a better chance of convincing a dragon to become a vegetarian. 

Regulus shot a rather nasty look at the fifth-year Gell's minature dragon which had taken to stalking the common room and biting people's ankles. Regulus, who hadn't gotten one himself, couldn't wait until the dragons disappeared after the second task. At least that was what the rumour was, then the enchantment would end, and Toady could go back to feeling safe in his home without risk of being roasted.

Regulus glanced at the Gryffindor table which meant he had to not so smoothly turn around in his seat. He found Sirius gesturing wildly, looking as if he was having a biscuit duel with Potter. The two off them swinging the food around like swords and bowing as some girls gave a smattering of applause when a bit from one of the broken biscuits landed in a basin of custard. They were such morons. Regulus turned back around and stared at his porridge feeling rather empty. Even if his aunt hadn't all but bribed him Regulus would have still wanted to convince Sirius to behave over the summer. He just had no idea how to go about it. He had already argued with Sirius in passing, as he had taken to seeking out his older bother himself now. This was both in an attempt to get the current heir to write to their mum to let her know he was sorry and would behave better and because he was hoping Sirius had found something useful since Reg and his friends had not.