A.N. First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone. Secondly, I am terribly sorry about this late update. I know that I said I would have updated sooner, but this year is my final school year, and it has been so hectic (Whoever told you that specializing in pharmacy is a good idea, sock him in the mouth). I have started writing this chapter in October hoping to publish it at the end of the month, but then I became depressed. And when I started to write again, my mid-year exams were beginning, and we discovered that we are cut from the internet for a month. Currently I am updating from a friend's lap top. Wish me luck in my exams and for the net to come back soon. Sorry for the rant. I just needed to get it off me.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is still not for sale, but when it is, I'll make sure to buy Sirius Black, Regulus Black, James Potter and Remus Lupin.
Chapter 4: Regulus Black
"Are you one of them, Regulus?"
"I am afraid I don't understand what you mean, Carina."
Carina scowled. She had dragged her brother into an empty classroom and warded it for privacy. She had to know if there was a chance to save him from the bleak future their mother planned for him. The idea of her beloved brother and her childhood friend turning into a ruthless murderer was so horrifying that it made her sick in the stomach.
"Don't act stupid Regulus. It doesn't suit you. Have you joined the death eaters? I have seen you hanging around Avery, Mulciber and Snape", she looked directly in his eyes beseeching him, "Please, Don't lie to me."
Regulus turned his eyes away from his sister's pleading gaze.
"No, not yet."
"Thank Merlin." Carina almost cried with relief that she was not too late to save her brother. "Promise me," she looked into his silver grey eyes, eyes identical to her own that used to be full of innocence, but now full of pain and conflict, "Please, Regulus, promise me you will not join them."
Regulus averted his eyes, "I can't promise you that Carina, and keep my promise. I really can't."
"Why, Reggie, why? Please, you are not like them. I know you. I know you are not like those Death Eaters."
Taking a deep breath, Regulus suddenly turned his eyes to her again, only this time they were cold impenetrable steel, "And what makes you think I am not just like them? What if I believe that they have the right ideas? After all," he sneered at her, "that was how our parents raised us."
Carina finally snapped, "They are murderers, Regulus. They torture and kill innocents in cold blood, innocents who have never done anything wrong besides being born. And you are not like those monsters, Regulus. You don't have it in you to kill, brother."
"Are you saying I am weak?"
Her voice softened, "No, you are strong, stronger than them. That is why I know you are not Death Eater material."
" Well, we will have to disagree then."
"Are you lying to me or to yourself, Reg? You are no more Death Eater than I."
"That is what you are deluding yourself to believe, Carina."
Carina stared at her no longer baby brother for a couple of minutes that seemed like a lifetime. She blinked back the hot tears that were threatening to fall, and then said bitterly, "Then I will pray we don't meet on the battlefield, dear brother."
A look of pure panic appeared on his face, and he barked at her, "What is that supposed to mean, Carina?"
She laughed a little mockingly, and cooed at him, "Oh Regulus! I didn't know you were so thick." she straightened her posture, and her eyes took on a determined glint, "The concept is not that hard to grasp, is it baby brother?! It means that as soon as I graduate, I am joining the fight against your dear Voldemort, the monster you are choosing over me, your sister," she said screaming the last word.
Regulus's face paled drastically. His eyes, which were now wild and radiating an almost tangible fear, were fixed on his sister, looking hopelessly for a hint to prove that that was one of her maddening jokes, but finding only fierce determination and stubbornness he knew too well. He suddenly began pulling at his hair, muttering quietly to himself, while pacing around the room, "Oh Merlin! Oh Merlin! What am I supposed to do now? Why is she always doing this to me?"
Carina's eyes softened, her stance relaxed, and she took a cautious step towards her brother, "What have they done to you, Reggie? What are you hiding from me? And please, for Merlin's sake, don't say nothing nor lie to me. I could help you. Let me help you."
Regulus just sighed and dropped his head in his hands in resignation. How could he tell her? Could he tell her the truth? Eh, why not? She is obviously going to be in danger no matter what he did to keep her safe.
He raised his head, and spoke so softly that she had to strain her ears to hear him clearly, "The Dark Lord wants the Black Heir in his ranks at any cost. Bellatrix," he shot her a look to prevent her predicted interruption at the mention of their much hated and deranged cousin, "discovered that I don't want to be a Death Eater, and that I am not going to become a slave for a madman." He sighed and continued, "But she also discovered my greatest weakness."
"Which is?" Carina asked, her heart beating fast, and her tears threatening to choke her. She did not need the answer. She already knew what was coming next, but she just needed to hear it out loud. She really had underestimated her brother. He was braver and much more selfless than she could ever hope to be. How could she have ever thought him to be a spineless coward?!
"That there is one person for whom I would do anything to keep safe and unharmed." Regulus sank to the ground, "She was the one who made Rabastan offer a betrothal contract to marry you."
All Carina could think, that bitch. Regulus laughed hysterically, "And then she found out that I helped you escape their clutches. Oh Rina. I just wanted you to be proud of me."
Carina sank beside her brother and hugged him with all her might, "I have always been proud of you, Reggie. You never have to prove yourself to me. I love you, Reg, just who you are. Even if you join the Death Eaters, I could never hate you. Disappointed, yes, but never hate."
She, then whacked him on the head, "And you don't need to protect me. Since when am I a damsel in distress, huh?!"
He finally smiled a real smile at her, and a lot of the bitterness left his eyes, "Thank you Rina." And he didn't need to say for what. She already knew. He was seriously stupid to try and distance himself from her. She was the only person who really cared about him, and if he was honest with himself, she was the single most important person in his entire life. He couldn't leave her now. Together they would face the dangers ahead of them.
A.N. I don't know when I'm going to update again, preferably before the end of January. The story is close to its end now.
A.N.2 I finished this on Christmas day, but I haven't been able to publish it until today. Consider it a New Year's gift from me.
Normally I don't enjoy confrontations. That's why I had a difficulty writing this chapter, but I hope you'll still like it. Either way, leave a review, please, pretty pretty please with sprinkles and cherry on the top.
