Barty laughed and it was a freeing thing. Not laughter weighed down by bitterness or mockery, just honest amusement at this familiar response. "You are a prissy prince, I forgot to mention that."

Although he hoped that much was obvious to Regulus even now. "Me?" How could he describe himself, especially in a way that would help Regulus find his footing? "I'm a fighter. I have been fighting as long as I can remember. Against my father. Against idiocy. Against cowards and the laws of decency. Right now I'm here, fighting the laws of nature for our sake, Regulus. When you are with me, you are protected. You are safe, because I'll fight for you. And I've always thought ahead. A skill you've never trained much."