Chapter 303: If You Won't Lose Control, How Can I? [bonus]
The situation was plain for everyone to see.
Regulus had never intended to talk things out with Bella. From the very first moment, this was what he'd come for.
Her performance earlier, circling him, patting his shoulder, leaning in to whisper in his ear, dragging out the ketchup story in front of everyone. Every word dripping with the tone of an elder disciplining a child who didn't know his place. She'd believed she held all the strings. Believed this was post-dinner entertainment after clearing the room. Believed Regulus was a boy she could press down whenever she liked, dealt with at her convenience.
The boy had grown claws and fangs.
When he'd thrown that remark at Rodolphus, some thought he was deflecting. When Sirius hit Rabastan, some called it impulse. When Bella drew her wand on Sirius and Regulus stepped in, only then did everyone realize he'd been steering her toward violence the entire time.
The method wasn't clever. Each step, taken apart, was blunt and obvious. Nothing intricate about it.
But the result defied every expectation.
Bellatrix Lestrange, in her own manor's banquet hall, had been knocked flying by a twelve-year-old wizard.
Orion stood by the fireplace, his hand still pressed over Walburga's wrist, eyes on the center of the hall.