A/N: Dark Times is my first story and mostly relates to Regulus Black and co. You will probably find that Black's representation in this story is quite original...if not opposed to what is usually written. I ask readers to just go with the flow and hopefully I will be able to provide an explanation in the following chapters! To avoid confusion I should also add that Regulus and Artemis are married at this point in the story.

Chapter 1: Sacrifice

Artemis not far behind, Regulus dragged himself from the foaming ocean onto the rocky outcrop. No one but the Dark Lord himselfcould apparate inside the cave where Voldemort kept his horcrux. He looked out to the turbid sea and allowed himself to fully appreciate what they both were about to do. To betray Voldemort was death, both of them knew this buthad gone too far to turn back now. Regulus knew Malfoy and McNair were already growing suspicious. It was only a matter of time until Voldemort discovered that he was alive and kicking.

Artemis shuddered beside him, more from apprehension than from the biting wind and Regulus came to his senses and dried them both with a wave of his wand. They cautiously stepped into the darkened, mossy cave until they found the delicate silver outline on the cave wall. Regulus made the blood sacrifice himself, something he would have relished in former days. As he opened a fresh wound on his hand, he began to realise its baseness. Artemis had shown him that there were better things in life. Further on inside the pitch black cave, it was Artemis who discovered the chain which summoned the small boat from the depths of the inferi ridden lake. Regulus held her trembling hand as she stepped carefully into the craft. Sadness had begun to overtake them at this most awful of lovers partings.

They together reached the small island in the lake and walked up to the glowing basin. 'Do it quickly,'croaked Artemis hoarsely, 'before they realize where we are.'

Without another word, Regulus summoned a goblet and drew from the clear, thickening substance in the basin, at the bottom of which lay Slytherin's locket. Artemis downed the draught, paused, smiled grimly and drew again twice more. Suddenly she groaned and stumbled backwards from the basin. Knowing the effects of the liquid, Regulus's took the goblet from her gently and began to administer yet more of the poisonous substance to Artemis. Though she pleaded and screamed for mercy he knew he must not stop.

Finally the basin grew empty and Regulus tapped his wand lightly to her forehead, sending her immediately into an enchanted sleep, temporarily freeing her from pain. Following this, he reached into the basin and took Voldemort's horcrux and placed it inside his robe, replacing in the bowl his own worthless trinket. Wedged inside the fake locket was a small scrap of parchment, an explanation to the Dark Lord, signed with the intertwined initials of Regulus and Artemis Black.

R.A.B.

Reaching down, he took the sleeping Artemis in his arms and carried her into the boat. Slowly he made his way through to the entrance to the cave and struggled through the rough waters with Artemis in tow. It was not until he reached the small pinacle that he realized that Artemis had flown further than he could travel.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Please review, no matter what you write, it is always appreciated.