"Dear James,
I trust you've received my letter and met Godric!
It's truly incredible: Regulus has befriended two eagles and can communicate with them, and they've accepted me as a friend too. I really hope you can meet them soon as well.
And these two eagles were rescued by our father from the London Zoo! That's so cool, I never expected my father to do something like that. Regulus seems very good at convincing people.
Recently, Regulus has also been researching other methods for easier communication, and we practice dueling with various spells every day... I was wrong before – life is more interesting during the summer holidays after Regulus started Hogwarts.
Anyway, hope to see you soon! Please reply with a time for us to meet!
Missing you,
Sirius
ps: Attached is a Muggle newspaper report about this matter.
"
A similar letter was also sent to Remus.
Regulus also wrote letters to several friends, sending them via the family's owls.
He was incredibly busy every day. Just exploring his ancestral home took him several days. He inspected every dark magic item and dark magic book in the house, picking out several books to study with Sirius.
He had Kreacher clear out a room for him, placed dummies inside, and practiced spells fiercely. His intensity was even more exaggerated than fifth-year students preparing for their O.W.L.s. And like all parents in the world, Walburga and Orion were very supportive of their child's diligent efforts in studying. Kreacher, especially, put in extra effort to serve him.
He asked the portraits in the house so many tricky questions that Phineas Nigellus now disappears from his frame as soon as he sees him. The only one who still maintained great enthusiasm and was willing to answer any of his questions was Kreacher, the House-elf willing to go through fire and water for him.
Recently, Kreacher's attitude towards Sirius has improved, which is rare, or rather, Sirius was the first to show a little more respect towards Kreacher. Regulus also often said good things about each of them at the right time.
Cracks don't appear or mend overnight. But even three feet of solid ice, he had to melt it.
For everyone to live in peace and quiet, he had to carry the burden.
Could this family manage without him?
...
"Young Master Sirius," Kreacher knocked on the door, "It's time for the young masters' dueling game."
"Okay, I'll be right there." Sirius put down his pen, picked up his wand, and resignedly stood up... If he didn't work harder, he would soon be left in the dust by his younger brother.
Of course, he could choose not to participate in Regulus's intense activities, but the summer holidays were so long... Regulus always had so many interesting ideas, and as a Gryffindor brother, he didn't want his parents' theory of Slytherin being the best to come true.
...
Cokeworth, Spinner's End.
"Dear Severus,
Hope this letter finds you well!
I've recently made two very special 'friends,' and I'm really looking forward to introducing them to you! But they can't Apparate, and I'm worried they won't be able to find me, so I'm still trying to figure out how to get to Cokeworth: my parents don't agree to me traveling far on my own, so I'm considering trying to take the Knight Bus.
How have you been lately? Have you been home all summer? We need to make plans to meet, at least twice, and it would be best if we could go to Diagon Alley together.
Hugs.
Sincerely yours,
Regulus
P.S. I hope you don't mind my family's owl, he's particularly fond of pecking. You need to reply quickly.
P.P.S. I forgot that I could actually use the Floo Network – we can arrange a time, and I can invite you to my house! My parents said it's fine. I told you my address, do you remember?
"
Unlike Lily, who often received owl post, this was the first time Severus had received a letter from a schoolmate at home. He read the letter three times, making sure he hadn't missed any details, before carefully folding the parchment and putting it in his pocket.
The Black Family owl stood fiercely to the side, its large eyes fixed on Severus, as if it would peck him the next second if he dared to delay – Severus hastily wrote:
"Dear Regulus,
Everything is fine here, and I'm also looking forward to meeting you and sharing news.
I should be home all summer, (at this point, Severus's happy smile drooped), let me think –
For a first-year student like you, taking the Knight Bus is indeed not very safe, I've heard the motion sickness is terrible. Floo powder is a better idea, I still remember your address... I'll come to you, I know where my mother hides the Floo powder. I'm free almost all summer.
Sincerely yours,
Severus
"
After the owl carrying the reply parchment flew away, Severus suddenly felt a surge of nervousness – aside from the 'traitor' Sirius, as a Slytherin, he was very aware of what the surname 'Black' meant.
He had seen with his own eyes how, in his first year, the Slytherin prefect, from an old wizarding family, the arrogant Lucius Malfoy, was incredibly respectful and proud of his girlfriend, Narcissa Black.
And in his two years at Hogwarts, Narcissa Black, a senior, was treated like a princess in Slytherin.
Not to mention, when Regulus first enrolled, Rabastan Lestrange, a senior from an equally noble background, had instructed them to take extra care of this little Black.
And now, he was invited to the Black Family home, this mysterious, ancient family.
...
A large chimney stood prominently on the distant horizon.
"Then you should buy some new clothes, Severus!" Lily Evans sat on the swing, clapping her hands happily, "And – your hair."
Oh, right. Severus, who had eagerly shared the news with Lily, suddenly realized this.
Lily didn't have a bad impression of Regulus; she had a very good personality and would never dislike someone unless it was something of great value. For example, although she didn't like Sirius, she didn't exactly hate him either.
"An ancient wizarding family," Lily's tone was full of longing. It was clear she was also curious about pure-blood wizarding families. "I wonder what they'll be like... Will their house be full of magic like Hogwarts Castle? I really hope I get a chance to see a wizarding family like that."
You wouldn't want to go – Severus added in his mind, remembering the attitude of his senior classmates towards people from Muggle families like Lily. The thought of visiting suddenly felt heavy, and the joy of going to the Black Family home slowly diminished, like the flame of a burnt-out candle.
"I have a new wizarding robe," Lily was still excitedly offering suggestions, "Don't worry... it's just a plain robe, it doesn't have the Gryffindor crest on it, and you're about the same height as me... I'll get it for you when I go home!"
Lily gave a warm smile like a small sun, her green almond-shaped eyes so beautiful in the sunlight.
"Mm. Thank you." Severus nodded, the flame in his heart growing stronger again.
...
In my understanding, it is precisely because there are so many people like Lily Evans, who are constantly kissing the wounds of the world, that there are so many beautiful moments in this human realm.
—"My Hogwarts Memoirs"Regulus Black