Prologue
Lysara was wide awake in the Lestrange mansion, with everything that had happened she had never known darkness like this before. The rumours were true, dark times were ahead and she was on the wrong side of it all. She didn't want to be, she wanted to be with her friends. She couldn't otherwise she'd put them in danger.
Lysara laid eyes open on her bed as she watched the rain drip down the window knowing that this day would be the last time she'd be Lysara Lestrange but Lysara Black. She didn't know if that name was any better then Lestrange.
She felt numb, she knew Regulus was kind, or he could be when he wanted to. She knew he wasn't Sirius, no Sirius was brave, he escaped. Lysara didn't have James Potter to run away to. She had to do what she needed to. To survive, because if she didn't marry Regulus she'd be dead by dawn.
The Black family were powerful, she knew that. She saw Sirius in school, she knew what he could do. If only she was placed in Gryffindor like he was, if only she was placed in any other house then Slytherin, she wouldn't be where she was now. A day away from marrying Regulus Black. God knows what the wedding would be like, or after the wedding for that matter.
There was a quiet knock on the door, Lysara quickly sat up, her voice shaking she spoke,
"Come in." There was a second of doubt in the air as the person behind the door paused. He didn't know if he was crossing any lines.
"Regulus?" Lysara called out, "is everything alright?"
Regulus knew Lysara was too kind to be in the position she was in now. He didn't want this for her, or him. They weren't marrying out of love but for survival. Regulus wished he could go to his brother for help but if he was caught, he wouldn't want the consequence to be Lysara.
The air was thick with hesitation before he spoke.
"Would it be alright if we could talk for a moment?" Regulus asked. They were only eighteen, he thought.
"Of course." Lysara spoke as he entered the room. He could tell she wasn't happy, but maybe they'd learn to be.
Regulus stood before her, and he grabbed her hand.
"I know we aren't marrying out of love." He paused, "But I promise you that from this day onwards, I will only treat you with respect as my wife. I wish nothing more than you to be happy, if I can do that for you, I'll do my best. I wanted to let you know you weren't marrying a monster. I don't want you to be afraid of me." He spoke softly
"There's so much good in you Regulus
Arcturus Black." Lysara kissed his hand gently. "I will respect you as my husband, we will play our parts and we will do it well. I can't say that I love you right now, but only time will tell." Regulus smiled softly.
"Only time will tell." He replied.