#48 - Chapter 48 White? Or Black?
Hearing this familiar name, White seemed a bit silent, his whole being lost in thought.
He didn't speak, only puffing on his cigar, one puff after another.
Sebastian didn't urge him, just quietly watched White smoke.
The man smoking in front of him had another identity in the magical world; he came from the famous Black family.
He was the youngest son of the Black family—Regulus Black, and he had an older brother named Sirius Black.
In the original story, although he joined Voldemort's Death Eaters, he didn't commit any egregious acts.
Regulus began following Voldemort at the age of 16, simply for the sake of the Black family and the glory of pure-bloods.
Later, he began to loathe Voldemort's cruel methods, realizing that his beliefs were wrong, and he became determined to oppose Voldemort.
Finally, he found an opportunity to exchange his life for one of Voldemort's Horcruxes, in order to destroy Voldemort's immortal life.
Sebastian greatly admired this tragic character from the original story, and after Regulus entered school, he consistently showed him his friendship.
Similar personalities also brought the two together, and they became close friends who could talk about anything.
Ironically, because of Snape, Sebastian and Sirius didn't get along well.
After Regulus and Sebastian became friends, Sirius was very unhappy, and the two brothers often argued about it.
Sebastian had considered stopping Regulus from joining the Death Eaters.
Unfortunately, the Black family was one of the first families to support Voldemort, getting on Voldemort's bandwagon early on.
After the eldest son of the Black family—Sirius Black—publicly opposed Voldemort and was disowned by the family,
the Black family was in a very awkward position in the ranks of the Death Eaters.
Therefore, for the sake of the Black family and the pure-blood glory that Voldemort spoke of, Regulus still joined the Death Eaters.
Sebastian and Regulus did not break off their friendship because of this; they outwardly became enemies, but secretly maintained contact.
"To truly know a person, you can't just look at what they say, but also what they do."
Sebastian told Regulus this, and Regulus remembered this advice from his friend.
However, he was still attracted to the pure-blood future that Voldemort spoke of.
Until he discovered that Voldemort had no pure-blood future in mind at all, and everything Voldemort did was for his brutal and dictatorial rule.
The shattering of his ideals and the conflict of his inner morality plunged Regulus into despair.
Voldemort was at the height of his power, and the Black family was already in too deep; there was nothing he could do.
He thought of his friend's warning to him, so he found Sebastian and confided his helplessness to him.
Sebastian still remembered Regulus's appearance, full of regret and weeping bitterly.
But he didn't have any good solutions at the time.
After all, Regulus wasn't alone; he also had a mother, and his mother was Voldemort's most staunch supporter.
If Regulus defected from the Death Eaters, Voldemort would not let the Black family go.
However, Sebastian was very clear about Regulus's character, knowing that he would make the same choice as in the original story.
In order to save his friend's life, Sebastian could only vaguely tell Regulus.
"If one day, you discover the Dark Lord's secret to immortality, don't think about handling it alone; I'll help you carry it together!"
To be on the safe side, Sebastian secretly found Regulus's house-elf, Kreacher, and asked him to seek his help if Regulus encountered danger.
Sebastian was very glad that he had taken this precaution, having Kreacher pay attention to Regulus's safety.
Regulus discovered Voldemort's secret to immortality, and he decided to deal with the Horcrux himself.
When Kreacher came crying to Sebastian for help, leading him to the cave where the Horcrux was hidden, Regulus was being dragged into the water by Inferi.
At the critical moment, Sebastian rescued Regulus.
Looking at the lake bottom full of Inferi, Regulus became despondent; he no longer wanted to go back and be an accomplice to Voldemort.
After obtaining Kreacher's consent, he begged Sebastian to erase Kreacher's memory and then arrange for him to return to the Black house.
Afterward, Sebastian took Regulus away to treat Regulus's body, which had been ravaged by poison.
However, although Regulus's body was healed, the mental trauma left him devastated and completely turned him into a living corpse.
Mental illness requires a mental cure, so in order to cheer up his friend, Sebastian painted a blueprint for Regulus.
A future where wizards no longer hide and live openly in the sun.
Regulus was attracted to this ideal.
Finally, he cheered up!
Under Sebastian's arrangement, he left the magical world and lived and studied in the Muggle world as a Muggle.
For 11 years, he had basically not returned to the magical world, only secretly returning to visit his mother when she was on her deathbed.
After that, he had always stayed in the Muggle world, helping Sebastian manage various businesses.
......
Until the entire cigar burned out, Regulus sighed deeply.
"Just call me White; Black died 11 years ago."
"Died in that gloomy, damp cave full of Inferi......"
He paused, his voice full of relief.
"Perhaps one day, I will reclaim the Black surname, but not now."
"I really like the blueprint you painted for me, and I regard it as a new ideal."
Regulus swept away his previous dejection, his words full of fighting spirit.
"In order for wizards to live openly in the sun, I am working very hard!"
"Moreover, I quite like this Muggle identity now, and I also like what I'm doing now."
"What about Kreacher?" Sebastian asked, "Do you want to return his memory and let him come and take care of your daily life?"
"Kreacher ah......"
Regulus's tone was somewhat sentimental: "I am a little sorry for him, although I obtained his consent when I erased his memory back then."
"But, since I have already modified his memory, let him think that I am already dead."
"He doesn't need to take care of anyone now, and he can live a more relaxed life."
"Moreover, my current identity is a Muggle, and it's not appropriate for a house-elf to appear by my side."
"When I pick up my wand again one day, restore the Black surname, and then return the memory to him and recognize him."
Regulus sat up straight, his eyes fixed on Sebastian.
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about my personal affairs today."
"There is a famous saying among Muggles, 'Time is money'!"
"Let's talk about the company's development and planning."
"My friend!"
......
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