Author's Note: Hello, dear readers! I've had this story in my head for years! Now that I've finished moving everything into my new dorm, I figure…new semester, new story! I just want to say that this story was almost going to be called Your Guardian Angel, based on the song of the same name by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. However, in the end, I named it after a chilling song that was featured in the deleted scenes of Harry Potter and the Halfblood Prince.
This story stems from the idea that Draco Malfoy and Regulus Black are remarkably similar! If you've read my stories before, or have seen my tumblr blog, then you know that I love everything to do with Regulus (and Sirius) Black! This is the first story that I've written where Regulus is the main character but Sirius is just a mention here or there. It's also the first story that I've written with Draco as a character. I should mention that it is an AU, however I will try to stay as close to the book as possible. With that said, I'm completely changing the way that Regulus dies! It adds to the later drama in the story. Now comes the part where I tell you exactly when I'll be updating this story but let's be honest - I'm terrible at updating stories! I will admit that a few weeks, perhaps even a month, may go by before I update it. But hopefully it will be worth the wait! With that being said…I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!
Carry my soul
Into the light
May the stars
Light the way
Chapter One
It was his birthday.
And he was going to die.
Regulus Black writhed in pain as sharp claws pierced every inch of his skin.
Bubbles escaped from his mouth and he quickly snapped it shut. He twisted his neck and tried to look around. He could barely see anything in the murky water. The Inferi that surrounded him were nothing more than blurs. That was just as well; they were terrifying to look at.
Regulus realized that he was rapidly running out of air. He gritted his teeth and tried to remember everything that he knew about Inferi. They were reanimated corpses. They were completely and utterly frightening. They could only be defeated by fire.
Fortunately, Regulus' wand was in his hand.
He concentrated and mentally roared, 'Incendio!'
Nothing happened.
Regulus realized with a combination of horror and embarrassment that he was, in fact, underwater. Fire wasn't an option. If he wanted to escape, he had to do so the Muggle way.
Regulus lifted his arm and jabbed it at the nearest object. He flinched as he felt his wand strike the Inferius' eye. The creature shrieked in pain and released its grip. Unfortunately, it took Regulus' wand with it. Regulus swung his arm and managed to strike another Inferius. He knew that he only had a few precious seconds before he ran out of air.
He twisted, punched, kicked, and writhed!
He was finally able to break free!
Regulus rapidly swam and broke through the surface. His chest ached as he desperately gasped for air. Adrenaline allowed him to gracelessly swim over to the rocky edge. He pulled himself up and stumbled several feet before collapsing onto his stomach.
He wanted to sleep…he was so tired…
But he couldn't!
Regulus looked around. He realized that Kreacher had already Apparated back to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. He couldn't get Regulus out. At least Kreacher had the locket…
Regulus desperately grabbed at the ground and pulled himself forward. The rocks scraped his chest and stomach. He didn't care. He had to keep going. He was eventually able to push himself up onto his hands and knees. He finally reached the cursed wall. He raised his hand, which sported a nasty cut, and placed it against the stone. The wall disappeared and he hastily crawled forward. Regulus glanced over his shoulder and let out a shaky laugh. The wall had reappeared; separating him from the horrid Inferi.
He had made it!
Regulus collapsed onto his stomach once more.
Every inch of his body ached.
Between the poison and the Inferi…
It was a wonder that he had survived.
Regulus took a few deep breaths before staggering to his feet.
He stumbled out of the cave and inched his way alongside the treacherous cliff. The wind tousled his hair and robes. The salty waves crashed into the rocks below.
"Why, if it isn't Cousin Reggie!"
Regulus spun around and nearly lost his balance.
Bellatrix was standing behind him. Regulus swallowed. His cousin had never been the most stable woman in the world. Her eyes held a dangerous amount of fire and passion.
"Good morning," Regulus pleasantly said, "Have you come for a swim?"
"The Dark Lord has personally sent me," Bellatrix declared, "He said that an alarm was triggered! Somebody was trying to steal something of his!"
"Were they now?"
Bellatrix's sneer deepened.
"You know what?" Bellatrix slowly said, "I think that Little Reggie was trying to take something that doesn't belong to him?"
"I think that you may be right," Regulus boldly said.
"The Dark Lord isn't going to like this," Bellatrix hissed.
"I don't give a damn what Voldemort thinks," Regulus snapped, "Not anymore."
"You dare speak his name!?" Bellatrix snarled, "You dare speak ill of him?"
"Yeah, I dare."
Bellatrix raised her wand and snarled, "You're making a big mistake."
"I made a mistake when I didn't listen to Sirius," Regulus quietly said, "I made a mistake when I didn't go with him on the night that he ran away. I made a mistake when I let Mother and Father talk me into getting this blasted tattoo. I made a mistake when I ordered Kreacher to help Voldemort. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. But this…this isn't one of them."
"YOU LITTLE WRETCH!" Bellatrix shrieked.
"Hey," Regulus chuckled, "How did you know Mother's nickname for me?"
Admittedly, he didn't hear his nickname nearly as much as Sirius did. They had the same nickname. Their mother wasn't very creative when it came to those sort of things.
Regulus had no idea why he was joking around. There was nothing humorous about this situation. Nothing at all. He was about to die. It seemed cruel, really. All of that fighting and he was going to end up dying anyway. Regulus knew that there was no way to fight. He supposed that he could always run away. He could also fall to his knees and plead for his life.
No.
Regulus decided that he was going to leave with honor.
He took a deep breath and quickly tried to think of his final words.
Regulus finally swallowed and croaked, "I'm sorry, Sirius."
He straightened up, locked his jaw, and bravely waited to greet Death.
Bellatrix screamed the curse.
Regulus stood his ground as the green light came towards him.
He tightly closed his eyes.
There was a deafening roar followed by an engulfing silence.
He was dead.
Which was why he was quite startled when someone snapped:
"Who the hell are you?"
