The enthusiasm of Starless' greeting surprised Regulus, but he offered a scratch and a pat, feeling a fresh pang of loss when he thought of the empty rooms that awaited him at home with no furry friend to greet him when he arrived.
"No, you needn't banish him," Regulus replied, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "I don't mind having him around." He held out his hand once Harry released Starless' collar, smiling wistfully as Starless bounded over for more attention.