Regulus of Hogwarts: Lord of the Stars

Back to Hogwarts today. Regulus was up early.

The dining room at Grimmauld Place looked as it always did at breakfast.

Smoked salmon lay sliced thin on white porcelain. The scrambled eggs steamed, the fried ones ran soft in the middle, the croissants had come out crisp, and beside them sat a dish of butter and a small pot of marmalade.

A pot of Darjeeling Tea too, the scent drifting from the spout.

Walburga spoke more than usual.

She set a soft leather satchel by Regulus's hand. New spring robes inside.

"Season's changing, you needed new robes," Walburga said, lifting her cup, offhand. "Underthings are in there as well. Throw the old ones out."

"Thank you, Mother." He set the satchel by his feet and smiled. "They're just right."

She smiled back, mild and unhurried, the corners of her mouth lifting. Then she put down the cup, lowered her head, and went back to cutting her egg.