Lucretius took the hint and turned to leave, closing the office door behind him with careful silence.
Professor Slughorn gestured for Regulus to sit, then leaned forward slightly in his armchair, shortening the distance between them.
Firelight from the hearth reflected across his round face, softening the sharp glint that usually lived in his eyes.
"You're far more mature than most boys your age. I've never regarded you as an ordinary student."
His tone was sincere, threaded with clear approval. "Your talent for potions, your instinct for magic, your composure. All of it surpasses your peers. You'll go very far."
Regulus inclined his head politely. "Thank you, Professor."
"If you ever run into something you can't handle, come to me." Slughorn's smile turned almost smug as he began listing his connections. "I know quite a number of people. Senior officials in the Ministry of Magic, including several deputy heads in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
He continued without pause. "Heads of old families too. Abraxas Malfoy. The elder Nott. If I speak up, they'll at least hear me out."
He lifted a finger for emphasis. "Even rare potion ingredients, phoenix tail feathers, Acromantula venom, obscure magical theory. I can usually find a channel. Last year a student wanted to study ancient runes and couldn't locate the proper texts. I had to call in a favor from an acquaintance in the Egyptian magical community."
Regulus felt a quiet shift in his thoughts.
Professor Slughorn was like an invisible web at the center of the wizarding world, able to tug at threads of influence in every direction.
And he was not treating him like a child. The professor was speaking plainly, which meant he understood far more about Regulus than what happened in class.
"If I ever need assistance, I won't hesitate to ask," Regulus said, letting genuine gratitude color his voice.
He knew he was one of Slughorn's prized additions to a carefully curated collection.
That was acceptable. As long as he kept control of the boundaries. He could not allow himself to become gossip or a source of information.
Slughorn chuckled approvingly, then shifted the topic back to potions, his expression turning serious.
"You have remarkable aptitude," he said. "Your grasp of ingredients, your control over heat, your regulation of magic. Even many upper-year students can't match that level of precision."
He fixed Regulus with a measured look. "That Elixir to Induce Euphoria you brewed last time. Its purity and stability were already at N.E.W.T. level. In all my years teaching, I've never seen a first-year achieve that."
Then his tone sharpened.
"But that's only an advantage at this stage."
"The potions you excel at now follow established recipes and fixed procedures. With enough care and focus, they can be mastered."
He steepled his fingers.
"A true potion master needs creativity and instinct. The ability to alter a formula when circumstances demand it, even to invent something entirely new."
"For example, a patient with unusual symptoms where standard remedies fail. You must adapt on the spot."
"Or when a critical ingredient is scarce, you must devise a substitute without compromising efficacy."
He paused.
"That is a much longer road."
Regulus was genuinely surprised.
His current level was built on acute magical perception. He could sense the fluctuations within ingredients, track the flow of magic, and maintain absolute control over each step.
But flashes of inspiration, that elusive spark that transformed technique into artistry, were not yet his strength.
That Slughorn had seen this so clearly proved exactly why he was a master.
"I'll work toward that," Regulus said honestly. "And if I reach a point where I need guidance, I hope you won't mind my asking."
Slughorn nodded with visible satisfaction and waved a hand. "Off you go. Keep it up. I have high expectations for you."
He added, with deliberate weight, "Hogwarts needs students like you. So does the wizarding world."
Regulus bowed slightly and left the office.
The corridor outside had grown dim. Torchlight burned lower now. Most of the portraits lining the walls were already asleep, save for one elderly wizard who muttered in his frame while dozing.
Regulus made his way back to the Slytherin Common Room. As he pushed the door open, he saw Narcissa seated by the fireplace with two seventh-year girls.
She wore a silver gown embroidered at the hem with small Black family crests, posture elegant as she reclined against the sofa.
A cup of hot drink rested in her hands, faint condensation misting along its rim.
The two girls opposite her wore deep blue and dark purple robes. They were speaking softly, laughter gentle and restrained, the manner befitting well-bred Pure-blood witches.
When Narcissa noticed Regulus, she rose at once and told the others, "We'll continue next time."
They took the cue and departed gracefully, offering Regulus polite nods as they passed.
"Just back from the professor's office?" Narcissa guided him to sit, then settled beside him.
Her gaze swept over him once, checking for injuries. "Did today's incident affect you at all?"
Regulus relaxed slightly, the distance in his voice easing. "It was a dark wizard with little ability. Even if the Aurors hadn't arrived, I would've been fine."
Narcissa smiled. "I had no doubt."
"Father mentioned the Ministry of Magic has formed a special review office for Dark artifacts, led by Barty Crouch," Regulus said, shifting to more serious matters.
"Today I went to Borgin and Burkes. The Burke family is seeking cooperation. They're offering several high-risk artifacts in exchange for our support in the Wizengamot over the next three years."
He spoke plainly. "Voting alignment on legislation. Early warning before inspections expand. Favorable testimony if necessary."
He did not hide it. Narcissa was a Black by blood and would soon be a Malfoy by marriage. She would know eventually.
"Father asked me to assess the situation. The final decision will be his."
Narcissa's smile faded slightly. "Lucius mentioned it as well. The atmosphere outside is tense. Many plans have been put on hold. Barty Crouch is far too rigid."
She lifted her cup and took a sip, the warmth steadying her.
"There's talk that some within the Ministry intend to move against the Dark Lord. But acting now…"
She left the sentence unfinished, though the meaning was clear. Certain hardliners hoped to curb Voldemort's expansion, but it would not be easy.
Regulus did not respond aloud.
If they do not act now, he thought, in a few years they may not have the courage at all.
When Voldemort's power fully solidified, the Ministry might crumble under pressure. At that point, it would fall to Dumbledore to raise the banner of resistance.
They spoke a little longer about ordinary matters. Narcissa asked about his coursework. He mentioned Professor Flitwick's advanced charm discussions and Professor McGonagall's approval of his Transfiguration progress.
Narcissa listened attentively, pride evident in her eyes.
He was her cousin. The future of the Black family. The stronger he became, the stronger her position would be, even within the Malfoy household.
After a quarter of an hour, Regulus excused himself and returned to the dormitory.
Cuthbert and Alex were already back, each seated on their own bed, chatting.
"Next Hogsmeade weekend, I'm getting my parents to send permission!" Cuthbert slapped his thigh, eyes bright with excitement. "Actually running into a dark wizard taking hostages. That kind of thing happens once in a lifetime. I want to see it too. Maybe even watch an Auror arrest someone up close."
Alex frowned. "Maybe not. It's too dangerous. Regulus was lucky the Aurors arrived quickly. What if next time it's a stronger dark wizard and the Aurors aren't there?"
"Danger makes it interesting," Cuthbert shot back. "We're Pure-blood heirs. We can't hide every time something happens. Imagine telling people later that all you did in Hogsmeade was drink Butterbeer."
He cleared his throat and added quickly, "Of course, if you really can't win, you run. Only an idiot fights head-on."
Alex opened his mouth to argue, but stopped when Regulus entered.
"If there hadn't been Aurors," Alex asked instead, "what would you have done?"
Cuthbert leaned across the gap between their beds. "What spell would you use? Disarming Charm? Binding Spell?"
He grinned eagerly. "Maybe a Severing Charm. Snap his wand completely so he can't fight at all. Or Confringo. Cause a blast, create chaos, then slip away?"