HP Tarot - Prince of Swords

(2007) 5 1/2" x 10 1/2" Pencil on Paper. Processed and framed in Photoshop.

This one took me a little longer to figure out, but eventually I settled for yet another tortured Black: Regulus, the erstwhile follower of Voldemort who eventually renounced his alliance and tried to destroy one of the horcruxes. Here he is at the enchanted stone basin in the cave holding Slytherin's locket.

In the traditional deck the Prince of Swords stands for a young man of a sharp mind who is fascinated by ideas for their own sakes. He has no problem switching sides and alliances enjoying intellectual challenges rather than being bothered by moral dilemmas. He is unable to commit to anything firmly, but can point out new and creative ways to approach problems and come up with ideas.

I think it was just that fascination with ideas and charisma that drew Regulus to the Death Eaters, but he was unable to fully commit to the dark side, and it took some wit and intelligence to figure out that whole horcrux business long before anyone else did. Even Dumbledore and Harry had to follow Regulus' hints to uncover Voldemort's strategy.

The male figure including the face is based on stock by [link]