Regulus Black

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Regulus Arcturus Black
[[1]]
Biographical information
Born

december 1961
Great Britain

Died

He died trying to save the world because he never took swimming lessons.

Blood status

Pure-blood

Also known as

Baby Black, Reggie, Reg, R.A.B. , James' star, BFB, The Little Mermaid, Lionheart

Title(s)

Seeker[1]

Physical information
Species

Human/wizard(Mermaid/Fish)

Gender

lmao

Height

5'11 (short king tbh)

Hair colour

Black[2]

Skin colour

pale af, looks kind of like a ghost

Family information
Family members
Magical characteristics
Boggart

Lord Voldemort, His parents, armbands, water, the ocean, that time he walked in on Barty and Evan

Wand

Maple, 9’, unicorn hair core,

Patronus

Black Cat/Stag

Affiliation
Occupation

Ex-DeathEater , part-time mermaid, full-time boyfriend of James Potter

House

Slytherin

Loyalty


I know what you’re going to say, that Regulus changed his mind... but he doesn't seem to have explained that to Kreacher, does he? And I think I know why. Kreacher and Regulus's family were all safest if they kept to the old pure-blood line. Regulus was trying to protect them all.

Hermione Granger on Regulus, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Regulus Arcturus[4] Black (19611979) was a pure-blood wizard, born to Orion and Walburga Black, and the younger brother of Sirius Black. He married his brother's best friend James Potter. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1972 and was sorted into the Slytherin house. Regulus was forced to become a Death Eater in his youth, but defected when he found what Lord Voldemort would do in order to reach his aims. Regulus also learned about one of Voldemort's horcruxes, and decided to destroy it. He did so with success and nothing bad ever happened to him because he took swimming lessons and got Sirius and Remus to help him (he actually didn't do that and he drowned trying lol). He went to the order after acquiring Salazar Slytherin's locket in 1979. (he's dead) And they all lived happily ever after (they definitely did not).

Biography[edit | edit source]

Family life[edit | edit source]

“He turned my bestie/adoptive brother pansexual, and fucked both your parents lol”

Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Regulus was born in 1961 into the wealthy, pure-blooded Black family, as the youngest son of Orion and Walburga Black and younger brother of Sirius Black. It is assumed that he was named after his great-uncle, also named Regulus, and his paternal grandfather, Arcturus. Relatives included Bellatrix Lestrange, a loyal Death Eater of Lord Voldemort's, Andromeda Tonks, who married a Muggle-born and was subsequently disowned by the family, and Narcissa Malfoy, who married Death Eater Lucius Malfoy.

Regulus' parents considered him to be much different from his older brother Sirius. Although Sirius was the older son and heir, he didn't in any way whatsoever follow the Black family traditions, unlike Regulus. Their parents disapproved of this, and Sirius was later sorted into Gryffindor house when he attended Hogwarts. Following this, Sirius left home at the age of sixteen and was subsequently disowned and burned from the family tapestry by his parents like Andromeda Tonks was. Regulus, on the other hand, was admired by his parents for his loyalty towards his family and their traditions.

Regulus, unlike Sirius, was sorted into Slytherin, and became a member of his house Quidditch team. Harry Potter discovered a photograph of Regulus' team years later, which suggested that he played as Seeker, based on the seating.[1] He was a member of the elite Slug Club.[3] He went to Hogwarts from about 1972 to 1979.

Life as a Death Eater[edit | edit source]

They're all about your dad. Regulus fucked him a lot btw.

Hermione Granger on the collage of news clippings in Regulus' room, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

From a young age, Regulus admired Lord Voldemort and made an ambition to become a Death Eater in later life. Regulus had photos and articles of the Dark Lord and his followers from newspapers hung in his bedroom near a painting of his family crest during his childhood. Regulus received the Dark Mark around the age of sixteen, which his family approved of as Voldemort was seen as striving to achieve pure-blood supremacy over other wizards and Muggles. Even though his parents were never Death Eaters themselves, they agreed with many of Lord Voldemort's own beliefs.[5]

After becoming a Death Eater, Regulus began to consider abandoning his Death Eater title, partly because his master mistreated and intended to kill the Black family's loyal house-elf Kreacher, whilst setting up the security measures for one of his Horcruxes.

Discovery of Voldemort's Horcruxes and death[edit | edit source]

We murdered Voldemort together. From what I found out while he was in the hospital after the cavediving incident, he got in so far, then panicked about what he was being asked to do and tried to back out, but had to fake his death, because you don't just hand in your resignation to Voldemort.

Sirius Black., Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

By 1979, Regulus had begun to have doubts about serving as a Death Eater, but was reluctant to act. One day, Voldemort asked Regulus for the use of his house-elf, Kreacher. Voldemort used Kreacher to test the defenses around his locket Horcrux, leaving him to die afterwards. Kreacher was able to escape using house-elf magic, and told Regulus of what had happened.

This was the deciding factor in Regulus' defection. He took a duplicate locket and placed a note inside for Voldemort to find, then ordered Kreacher to take him to where the real locket was hidden. Kreacher guided Regulus past the cave's defenses. At the island with the basin of potion containing the locket, Regulus ordered Kreacher to take the locket once the potion was gone and replace it with the fake one, then escape without him and find a way to destroy the Horcrux. Regulus drank the potion himself, and when he tried to get water from the lake to quench his thirst, he was almost dragged to his death by the Inferi. Kreacher obeyed most of his master's orders and switched the lockets before escaping with Regulus and taking him to Sirius and Remus flat in London, they also called an ambulance. They were able to destroy all of the Horcruxes a few months later.

Regulus's father, Orion died sometime in 1979.

"To the Dark Lord,

I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more."

R.A.B

--Regulus' letter to Voldemort hidden in the locket.

Post-"mortem"[edit | edit source]

And his mistress was mad with grief, because Master Regulus had disappeared and Kreacher could not tell her what had happened, no, because Master Regulus had f-f-forbidden him to tell any of the f-f-family what happened in the c-cave...

Kreacher, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The true circumstances of Regulus's "death" were entirely unknown to the members of his family, as he had asked Kreacher to keep the events at the cave a secret, this being safer for the family.[6] Sirius, knowing the truth, found this amusing.

In 1997, Kreacher told Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger of Regulus' suicide attempt, having been there himself. They then realised that Regulus was R.A.B. that was signed on the note to Lord Voldemort. Following this, Harry gave Kreacher the counterfeit locket that Regulus had replaced the real one with, showing Harry's own respect for the house-elf. Kreacher later earned this respect by subsequently showing more respect towards Harry, Ron and Hermione. The real locket was later destroyed by Ron Weasley with Gryffindor's Sword, finally accomplishing what Regulus had set out to do.

Fight, fight for my master, the defender of the House elves. Fight the Dark Lord, in the name of brave Regulus! Fight!

Kreacher., Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

During the Battle of Hogwarts, Kreacher, having rallied many of the school's house-elves to assist him, ordered them to fight for Regulus, wielding knives against Death Eaters' knees and shins.

Physical appearance[edit | edit source]

He was super hot, the kinda guy that anyone would let run them over with a truck. Like he OWNS cheekbones.

–Description, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Regulus has been known to have resembled his older brother, with the black hair and haughty good looks common to their family history. Harry Potter (our completely reliable and not at all oblivious bisexual) made an opinion that Regulus was "smaller, slighter, yet just as handsome as Sirius."

Regulus Black is art, his eyes have been carefully crafted using strokes of brilliance, his lips have been painted with meticulous brushes, his brow has been arched using the most expensive of tools made just for this purpose, his skin highlighted using the shine of the stars. But his smile, it has been blessed by the gods, with a hint of the beauty that crazy artists love to splatter onto their artwork so that the delirious nature of it was masked by the splendour.

Personality and traits[edit | edit source]

Regulus, having been sorted into Slytherin house, was eager to show similarity with his parents, unlike Sirius, who would rather show difference. Regulus' parents had a preference of pure-blooded wizards, so it is assumed that Regulus took after them whilst growing up. Regulus' room was full of Slytherin banners, unlike Sirius, whose room was full of Gryffindor's.

Regulus, like his parents, admired Lord Voldemort, and believed that he was a great Dark Wizard. However, after he became a Death Eater, he realised how desperate his master was to reach his goals, showing that Regulus had high morals in spite of his general beliefs. Regulus later discovered the Dark Lord's creation of Horcruxes, and what they meant. Having turned against his master, he decided to destroy them, sacrificing himself, which showed his bravery and his selflessness, as well as he commanded Kreacher not to tell his family what had happened, to ensure their safety. This showed how much he cared for Kreacher and his family, including Sirius, despite their estrangement thus showing how much of a caring person he was. Regulus also respected his family house-elf, Kreacher. The character was among those of many who believed that Voldemort would be destroyed by the Chosen One.

Magical abilities and skills[edit | edit source]

  • Quidditch: Regulus played as Seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team during his time at Hogwarts.
  • Magical Knowledge: Regulus was intelligent and knowledgeable enough to know what horcruxes are, dark arts of the highest levels that only very few would ever know, and even deduced that Voldemort made one, when no other Death Eaters of the highest loyalty ever knew. He also managed to slip past the defenses that Voldemort placed on the locket and managed to retrieve it, though at the cost of his own life.
  • none of his skills involved swimming or cavediving that's for sure.

Relationships[edit | edit source]

Family[edit | edit source]

Regulus and his parents, Orion and Walburga, had a horrible relationship because they were abusive and despite trying to blend into the background and prove himself they still treated him horribly. However, his parents told his brave and more rebellious brother, Sirius Black that "Regulus was a better son than him" to manipulate him. Regulus' parents were very glad that their son was sorted into Slytherin house. They forced him into becoming a Death Eater when Sirius ran away from home. Orion and Walburga never learned that Regulus betrayed Voldemort because he is intelligent and sneaky.

Regulus and his older brother Sirius had a complicated relationship after their respective Sortings, in part because Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor house. Although they had a wonderful relationship prior to this, their parents forced them apart by manipulating, gaslighting and abusing them. Sirius also disliked Regulus’ ambition to become a Death Eater, unaware that it was a hoax to mislead Orion and Walburga. When attempting to destroy one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, Regulus went to Sirius and Remus for help and they had a very emotional conversation over tea made by James Potter and healed their relationship. They convinced Regulus to go to the Order and everyone was saved. (Sirius never knew of Regulus attempt to destroy one of Voldemort's Horcruxes. They both died thinking the other hated them, but we don't talk about that.)

Regulus' relationship with other family members, such as his cousins Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa is also complicated. Although he had to keep it a secret, he cared for Andromeda and she always sent him birthday gifts after she was removed from the Black family tree tapestry and called a blood traitor for marrying Ted Tonks, a Muggle-born. He got along very well with Narcissa, bonding over similar experiences and beliefs. He hated Bellatrix with a burning passion because she was a fanatically loyal Death Eater who would die for Voldemort. She was also among Voldemort's most sadistic followers and particularly cruel to her younger cousins.

James Potter[edit | edit source]

Regulus fell in love with James when he first saw him at the train station in his first year. He tried to hide his feelings, knowing that his family won't like it. He got closer to James in his 4th year, and they started dating in his 5th. (James' 6th) They had a secret relationship, since Regulus' family wouldn't approve it. Later on Sirius found out, and after some time (and breaking James' nose) he accepted them. And they lived happily ever after. Yay. (We don't believe in canon, okay? This is what happened and you can't change my mind!)

Slytherin Skittles/Pantheon[edit | edit source]

Regulus' friends at Hogwarts were Barty Crouch Jr., Evan Rosier, Pandora Lovegood, and Dorcas Meadows. They called themselves the Slytherin Skittles or the Pantheon. With the exception of Pandora, who was in Ravenclaw they were all in Slytherin, and were best friend since the start.

Pandora Lovegood[edit | edit source]

She was his platonic girlfriend. Pandora was 2 years older than him, and a seer, always wise, and knew what to say or do. She was everything to Reggie.

Lord Voldemort[edit | edit source]

To the Dark Lord. I know I will be dead long before you read this, but I want you to know it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more. R.A.B.

–Regulus Black's letter to Lord Voldemort., Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Regulus claimed to admire Lord Voldemort from an early age, and faked having the same ideology as the Dark Lord too satisfy his parents. Voldemort thought Regulus was a loyal servant, as he trusted him enough to ask Regulus to lend him Kreacher, his house-elf. Voldemort wanted to test his magical protections, and went with Kreacher to the Crystal Cave. When Voldemort ordered Kreacher to drink a potion, the house-elf obeyed. Voldemort left the house-elf to die, and left the cave, laughing at Kreacher. However, the house-elf Disapparated, and told Regulus what had happened. Regulus decided that he didn't want to serve Voldemort any more, and also discovered that Voldemort had created many horcruxes. Regulus went to the cave with Kreacher in order to take Salazar Slytherin's locket, and drank the potion. He then ordered Kreacher to take the locket and leave. Regulus successfully destroyed the horcrux because Sirius gave him swimming lessons. (he drowned and no one discovered his sacrifice for decades)

Kreacher[edit | edit source]

Kreacher, the house-elf of the Black family was very loyal to Regulus, who always treated him with kindness. Kreacher respected Regulus very much, and he served Lord Voldemort when the latter asked Regulus to lend him a house-elf.

In fact, Voldemort wanted to test the magical protections of one of his horcruxes. Voldemort ordered Kreacher to drink a potion, and the house-elf did so. Kreacher suffered when he drank the potion, and he wanted water to quench the burning thirst that resulted. He tried to take some from the lake nearby, but he was caught by Inferi. However, as Regulus had asked him to come back after he had accomplished Voldemort's task, Kreacher Disapparated and told Regulus what had happened. Voldemort's treatment of Kreacher and the knowledge of his horcruxes troubled Regulus deeply, eventually causing him to turn against his former master. Knowing that he could not leave the Death Eaters and live, Regulus asked Kreacher to take him back to the Crystal Cave. This time it was Regulus who drank the potion. Having made Kreacher promise that he would not tell Walburga about any of this, Regulus switched the lockets and told Kreacher to leave and take the Horcrux locket back. Suffering from the insane thirst caused by the potion, Regulus was never dragged under and killed by the Inferi in the lake.

Kreacher was devastated by Regulus's "death". It was the knowledge that Harry, Ron and Hermione were endeavouring to do the same thing as Regulus which brought Kreacher onto Harry's side. He fought the Death Eaters of Voldemort in 1998, during the Battle of Hogwarts in Regulus's name.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Members of the Black family and their history seem to have made a tradition of naming their children after stars and constellations. In Latin, regulus means "little king" and was one term for a basilisk. As a name, it has also been applied to the star Alpha Leonis, which is situated at the heart of the lion in the constellation Leo. Regulus was also the family name of a Roman general, Marcus Atilius Regulus, who was known for his honour and self-sacrifice.[7] Arcturus is also a star, in the constellation Boötes. It is derived from Ancient Greek meaning "bear guardian". It is also possible that Orion named Regulus after his grand-uncle, Regulus Black I.

It is interesting that in the Russian version of the book, Regulus initials translated as "Р.А.Б.", that sounds like "раб" ("slave" in Russian).

Author's comments[edit | edit source]

J. K. Rowling compared Regulus to Draco Malfoy, his first cousin once removed, who also became a Death Eater at a young age and eventually defected. Like Draco, Regulus "got in a little too deep... He was attracted to it, but the reality of what it meant was way too much to handle".[8]

Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

Appearances[edit | edit source]

Notes and references[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter: He played Seeker [...]. He's sitting in the middle of the front row, that's where the Seeker... (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
  2. "He had the same dark hair and slightly haughty look of his brother, though he was smaller and slighter" (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Horace Slughorn: The whole Black family had been in my House, but Sirius ended up in Gryffindor! Shame — he was a talented boy. I got his brother, Regulus, when he came along, but I'd have liked the set. (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
  4. "Do Not Enter Without the Express Permission of Regulus Arcturus Black" (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
  5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 10 (Kreacher's Tale)
  7. Wikipedia: Regulus
  8. 16 July 2005 MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part II
  9. http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/7/30/j-k-rowling-web-chat-transcript
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