Once upon a Midnight Dreary - Regulus Black

Chapter 19

"ℜegulus, m'boy, you really shouldn't have!" Slughorn exclaimed ecstatically as Regulus gave him his cherished pineapple and mead. "These are my absolute favorite treats! You do know how to spoil an old man like me."

It was eight o'clock in the evening; Slug Club was by now over, only Regulus and I stayed with Slughorn in his office. We had spent the past week talking about this moment, yet now that we actually needed to carry through our plans, I wasn't sure where to begin. Judged by Regulus' uncertain gaze, he didn't quite know where he should start, either.

"Well, would you mind sharing a drink with me?" Slughorn gave us a wink, already uncorking the bottle of mead and filling three glasses with the yellowish beverage. Even though Regulus never consumed any alcohol, only ate healthy and generally stayed away from harmful habits, he was polite enough not to decline our teacher's request. He held the glass, studying Slughorn with scrutiny. "We need to make a lucky toast before the upcoming Ravenclaw versus Slytherin match next weekend. I expect Sacred Seven – what a creative name! –, will win just like you won last time."

"We'll try our best, sir," Regulus hurried to agree.

"Let's drink to that." We clinked with each other and watched Slughorn empty his glass. He helped himself to more alcohol, and after a few minutes of comfortable silence, he prompted, "So, tell me, boys. How are you doing lately? With your final examinations and graduation just around the corner, I assume you must be excited and a little bit nervous..."

He gave another sly, conspiratorial wink.

"Felix, I trust you'll show up to your examinations this time. The ones you actually attended went marvelously last year!"

"That's the plan, Professor."

"Very well." He nodded his head rapidly. "I really appreciate these thoughtful gifts. You know, I think I could help you both in the future. I've got the very best connections."

He leaned closer to us, dropping his whispering even lower.

"Quidditch would suit you both. With such extraordinary talent you both have, you could make the national team in just a few years' time. I even bet my head on it!"

"Thank you, Professor Slughorn," Regulus began in a very soft and polite voice, "but for my part, Quidditch is only a hobby. My parents don't think I should work after finishing school."

"Oh... of course, of course... The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, isn't that right?" Slughorn took another swallow of his drink. "It would still be a shame if you didn't take advantage of your great skills and sharp mind. I'm telling you, you would have been the most wonderful Head Boy, if only –"

As if realizing what he was saying, he paused mid-sentence.

"Naturally, Cole Burton is also quite talented, but –"

"He's doing a fine job. He's very good at making patrolling schedules," Regulus answered in the same courtly tone; I could tell by the way he had started fidgeting in his seat that our mission was about to start. "I just patrolled the third floor the other day... I find the Trophy Room to be very fascinating. There was this one award that really piqued my interest."

He paused for effect, or maybe just to gather his courage.

"It was given to a certain Tom Riddle. He was also a Slytherin, a Prefect and a Head Boy, wasn't he?"

"T-T-Tom Riddle?" Slughorn suddenly jolted, with such haste that he nearly knocked the table over with his large belly. In the most ungainly manner, he managed to get his drink all over himself. He didn't start drying his robes and instead focused his astonished gaze on Regulus. "I... um... I believe he was, but I... don't quite remember. I've had hundreds of students over the years, and my memory isn't the best anymore..."