With that seemingly harmless question outright alarm replaced wariness and Regulus felt an icy weight settle in his stomach. The fear showed in his eyes for a moment before he quickly lowered his gaze. He had been accused of many unflattering vices in his young life, but no one had ever accused him of possessing an abundance of optimism.

He had made a mistake... and he would pay for it. Maybe not today or tomorrow but unwarranted attention was never a good sign. At least with Voldemort the standing of the Black family had provided some measure of protection. Now... He felt lost again, lost and terribly in what should have been a den of snakes, yet had been turned into something he couldn't even begin to comprehend.

Regulus forced himself to raise his head again. Not to meet the Master's eyes, that would have been too daring, but there was pride in his name and noble lineage. Even now. Someone had to remember. "Regulus Arcturus Black, my Lord. I served the Dark... I took the Mark nearly a year ago."