Regulus laughed heartily, he had to admit, this was the most exciting adventure in his two lifetimes.
Totally worth it!
Although the altitude was far less than a HALO jump, the thrill was even greater—
He didn't bring a parachute!
Why didn't he bring a parachute?
—Parachutes have no faith.
(Faith cannot resist gravity, Little Wizards, please do not imitate.)
Although he did have a backup plan: before this, he had practiced his Levitation Charm to perfection—forehand, backhand, upside down, underwater—as long as things went wrong, he would cast a spell on himself.
The small, sprout-like Regulus felt his presence was six feet tall, cooler than Tom Cruise.
"Regulus, Regulus! How dare you, how dare you—Slytherin, Slytherin lose 5 points!" The plump, fair, and soft walrus-like Professor Slughorn conjured a parachute and, before the other teachers, was the first to deduct points from his own house.
"My goodness! Merlin's beard! How dare you! It's dreadful!" The Head of Slytherin didn't know whether to reprimand him severely or thank Merlin. One Sirius wasn't enough, and now even Regulus was influenced.
The evidence that Hogwarts corrupts Little Wizards is conclusive.
Madam Hooch, meanwhile, flew down from the sky on a Nimbus 1000 summoned from who knows where, relying on a dive with a Wronski Feint, plus a perfectly timed Cushioning Charm, landing gracefully.
Perched on her broomstick, her posture was Handsome, earning the solemn respect of students, including Regulus.
At this moment, Hogwarts' most handsome school idol was also staring intently at him. Sirius had never expected that his usually introverted, shy, silent, and even somewhat cowardly younger brother would suddenly let loose and do something big—
Could it be that his brother's previous demeanor was just because he was suppressed by him? And this year at Hogwarts activated a brand new side of him? Strange thoughts continuously bombarded Sirius's pretty little brain.
In this era, no one knew yet—silent, yet doing something big—this was practically a characteristic tailor-made for Regulus.
For a moment, Sirius didn't know whether he should have the family send Regulus a Howler, just like the ones he received, or give him a thumbs-up and say: Well done, this brother takes after me.
But in the vastness of Hogwarts, did no one want to ask: "Why jump off the Astronomical Tower?"
This shows that the teachers at Hogwarts, through years of raising Little Wizards, had learned that "Little Wizards doing things don't need a reason."
"Detention, young man, detention in my office, starting tonight, every night at six, for a week." Horace Slughorn took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead. Thank goodness nothing happened, thank goodness, he said to himself.
"Okay, Professor." Regulus nodded, his eyes shining, actually rewarding him with one-on-one time with a senior Professor!
Was this attitude too proactive? Slughorn felt Regulus's excitement and looked at him suspiciously. For some reason, he also glanced at the oblivious Sirius—these brothers weren't plotting something wicked, were they?
Sirius, who was inexplicably stared at, looked innocently at Remus, and James also turned to look at Remus with a look of ignorance, seeking reliable advice.
What sort of behavior do you two have? Who at Hogwarts doesn't know how—Remus looked calm.
As expected of Remus.
...
This leap of faith had an amazing effect.
"That's him—Regulus, our Gryffindor Black's Slytherin brother."
On the way to Charms in the afternoon, Regulus walked with a light step, enduring various pointing fingers, and arrived at the classroom door.
Charms was one of his favorite subjects at Hogwarts, and Professor Flitwick was one of his favorite teachers.
"Hey, Black, how did you land?" A Little Lion who had never spoken to him couldn't help but ask.
Even students from Gryffindor were actively talking to him?
You know, these weren't peaceful times. The Dark Lord treated Hogwarts as his kingdom, Slytherin was his Death Eaters training base, and Gryffindor was undoubtedly the training center for Little Phoenixes.
The ice between the houses was particularly thick and difficult to break.
"Just like this—Leviosa!" At the entrance of Charms, Regulus stepped halfway into the classroom and successfully levitated a heavy suit of armor in the corridor using the spell, then gently lowered it.
"Be polite, young man," the armor mumbled vaguely.
Regulus bowed to the armor, his left hand behind his back, his right hand on his chest. On the surface, he didn't say another unnecessary word, maintaining the persona of the cool, reserved young Regulus, a silent gourd.
This Levitation Charm was the result of him consulting Professor Flitwick, practicing continuously for ten days in the Room of Requirement, and even practicing it in his dreams in the dormitory.
"Wow, excellent!"
The questioning Little Gryffindor looked on with solemn respect. He himself could only levitate a teapot with the Levitation Charm, while Regulus, of the same age, could steadily lift a suit of armor.
He needed to go back and practice more.
"Amazing control, Mr. Black," the smiling Professor Filius Flitwick popped out from the Charms classroom doorway. "Slytherin House, add 5 points."
"Thank you, Professor!"
With the two houses seated, the short Professor Flitwick looked at the Little Wizards below the platform and, thinking of the approaching summer holidays, was in a good mood.
"Today we are learning a spell with very wide uses. Open your textbooks, Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, the Unlocking Charm and the Locking Charm. Today we're going to have a fun game—"
Hearing about the interesting game, the Little Lions and Little Snakes in Charms Class perked up their ears.
"In front of each of you is a box—students from Gryffindor, practice the Unlocking Charm. Students from Slytherin, mainly practice the Locking Charm."
"In the last ten minutes, you will pair up and see whose Locking Charm is more powerful or whose Unlocking Charm is stronger! Next class, you'll switch roles."
Professor Flitwick said with a smile, not at all bothered by his actions that exacerbated the conflict between the two houses.
!?
It is indeed interesting! Inciting healthy competition among students, Professor Flitwick is truly the legendary teaching master.
This design indeed ignited the enthusiasm of the whole class for practice! Seeing them practicing spells with serious little faces, Professor Flitwick was even surrounded by a crowd of Little Wizards asking questions.
The learning atmosphere was unprecedentedly high!
Regulus picked up the box and examined it carefully, an idea forming in his mind.
Regulus's partner was the Little Lion who had spoken to him in the corridor earlier, David Goger. From what Regulus knew of him, this Little Wizard had a considerable amount of curiosity.
"Black, how did you practice your Levitation Charm? Are there any tricks?" Goger asked.
"The gestures must be accurate and decisive, and more importantly—you must make a prediction in your mind about what will happen," Regulus thought for a moment and summarized. "Your understanding of the situation must be clear, and your prediction of the outcome must be firm."
This was something he had figured out himself during practice.
Goger nodded, half-understanding, and asked again, "Then, Black, what's the heaviest thing you can levitate?"
"I've tried 150 pounds. Also, just call me Regulus."
...
Before the class ended, David, who had been gossiping for half the lesson, naturally failed to open the box locked by Regulus. But his dejection didn't last long, because it wasn't just him—none of the students in the class could open the box locked by Regulus.
Finally, Professor Flitwick walked to the table and nonchalantly cast an Unlocking Charm—
The lock on the box clicked, seemingly reacting, but the box didn't budge at all.
Huh?
He picked up the box and immediately noticed something was wrong; the box was much heavier.
This is—
"Wonderful Transfiguration!" Flitwick praised greatly. He waved his wand, splitting the box in half to show the students—
The inside of the hollow box had turned into solid wood. The lock had actually been opened, but the box had become a piece of wood, so it couldn't be opened.
This Little Black is quite interesting.
...
At dinner time, the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Countless candles hung in the air, illuminating four long tables. The teachers' seats were empty.
Regulus, surrounded by a few curious classmates, walked towards his usual dining spot at the other end of the Slytherin long table and saw Sirius, dining in a prominent position, standing and leaning against the Gryffindor table, looking at him with bright eyes.
Even the third-year Little Witches were peeking at him.
Regulus couldn't help but sigh—if good looks were justice, then Sirius was the embodiment of justice.
To Sirius's surprise, Regulus, who hadn't spoken to him since last Christmas, walked towards him on his own initiative.
The Little Snakes around Regulus hesitated for a moment and didn't follow. The students at the tables seemed to quiet down a bit, watching this side.
The two brothers grew up together, and Sirius always played around with Regulus, his 'cowardly, stupid little brother,' while also being disdainful. When they first came to Hogwarts, their relationship wasn't so strained. But the pressure from their parents, the disagreements between the houses, and their inability to see eye to eye led them to gradually stop talking at school.
Sirius had his pride, and Regulus had his reserve; the result, of course, was that they drifted further apart.
This was the first time Regulus had actively sought him out to talk at Hogwarts, and Sirius couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
Regulus looked at the Hogwarts School Idol before him—a person who loved freedom most, yet abandoned it to protect his godson and friends. Such stories are indeed loved by everyone, but for the dazzling, favored son of heaven before him, it was truly too heavy.
"Brother." A thousand words, the emotions of two lifetimes, condensed into a simple word.
Sirius just felt that Regulus before him was very off; his gaze was so peaceful and serene that it made him a little uneasy.
But it also felt as if something he cherished had returned.
"Regu, you—be careful." Sirius finally managed to blurt out a sentence. He didn't even believe the words himself, and then he saw the expression of suppressed laughter on the other side.
"Hey, did you use a backhand Levitation Charm? What was it like jumping off the tower?" James Potter couldn't hide his eagerness to try. "Hey, uh, Regulus, I know you know me, but let me introduce myself again, I'm James, James Potter."
"Remus Lupin." Lupin beside him added.
"Regulus Black, please to make your acquaintance." Regulus extended his hand and deliberately shook hands with both of them one by one.
Indeed, he was still his overly serious, old-fashioned younger brother. A slight smile appeared at the corner of Sirius's mouth.