Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter. I wrote this because she killed off all my favorite characters (they'll have a * next to their name) and because it sounded cool to write. I did invent some of these characters.
Chapter 3: Regulus*, 1979
"You dare question me? I, who have gone further, down the path of immortality than any wizard?"
I flinched and I wasn't even the one being reprimanded. Delaruse shouldn't have said anything. It wasn't his place. I glanced to my right. My cousin, Bella, was smiling evilly. She felt whole-heartedly that he deserved this. I looked away. It made me feel sick to know that others took pleasure in seeing another human being suffer like this. I couldn't stand the gleeful expression on Bella's face. It made me question why I was here and I didn't want to think about that. I knew what I was fighting for.
I looked to my left. Severus Snape stood rigidly beside me. I was glad to know that he at least wasn't finding pleasure in this. He stared at the Dark Lord and his victim with glazed eyes. I felt slightly calmer. I knew he wouldn't find this amusing. It just wasn't in his personality. I had always wondered if he had joined because that was what was expected of him in our House or if he really did believe all this. I highly doubted it was the latter. It wasn't consistent with the fact that for the better part of his years at Hogwarts he had been best friends with a muggleborn.
"Crucio!"
I couldn't shut my eyes; it would be considered cowardice and I would end up on the receiving end of that curse next. I settled myself with staring at a brown spot on the floor. I couldn't block out the screaming though; I never could. It was a horrible, gut-wrenching scream. One that made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, made you shiver involuntarily. But it was not only the scream this pureblood was making. It was the scream that Muggles, muggleborns, blood traitors, and half-bloods made. Pain, it was called, pure agony.
It was suddenly blatantly obvious why Sirius had fought tooth and nail to leave. He somehow saw what I hadn't: the torture, the humiliation, the ridiculous notion that we could purify a race that was never pure. So why hadn't I listened to my brother? Why had I ignored his pleas and warnings? I knew he cared about what happened to me, so why was I so stubborn? Was I the coward he always said I was?
"Now, get back in line and don't argue with me again, Delaruse." The Dark Lord said in a deadly quiet voice. Delaruse shakily got to his feet and stumbled back into the crowd. Not one person helped him; they didn't even show sympathy for fear of being next. The Dark Lord scanned over us.
"I am in need of an assistant. I have very important business that requires a house-elf. Which of you is willing to give me their elf for this all important task?"
"Regulus has a house-elf." Bellatrix offered before anybody else could speak. "As a younger member, he hasn't been able to do much; this could be his chance to prove himself, My Lord."
I froze. I couldn't believe her. Bellatrix was offering my family's house-elf. It wasn't her place; certainly the Dark Lord knew that. I looked up to gauge his expression. It was very difficult because he didn't have eyebrows. I gulped as he looked me over.
"Dear, sweet, Bella, I don't believe it's your place to offer someone else's property to me, is it Regulus?" the Dark Lord asked me. I swallowed.
"No, Sir," I whispered. Bellatrix looked hurt. I took to looking at the Dark Lord's pale feet.
"You should be able to speak for yourself, shouldn't you?" the Dark Lord said.
"Yes, Sir," I said.
"So, will you give me your house-elf for the task?" he asked in his creepy low voice. I inhaled deeply.
"Sir, it is not my house-elf to give." I said. There was a collective murmur. I could feel my hands shaking so I clenched my fists.
"He's trying to back out." Lucius Malfoy said.
"What a coward." Antonin Dolohov muttered, laughing.
"Hush," the Dark Lord said. "That's enough. He is not trying to back out. He is telling the truth. His parents own the elf, not himself. He must get permission from them. Fortunately," he lifted my chin and forced me to look into his red eyes with slits for pupils. "Your parents are sympathetic toward my cause and would not mind giving me the elf. Go fetch him, Regulus." He let go of me. "The rest of you are dismissed. Oh, and Regulus, thank you for your honesty. The Dark Lord values honesty." With that, he left through a side door leaving his Death Eaters more than a little stunned.
Bellatrix grabbed my shirt collar and whipped me around to face her.
"Don't you ever pull another stunt like that again!" she hissed. I grabbed my cloak back.
"When will you learn that you can't control me? Have your own kids so you can boss them around!" I shouted. The other Death Eaters stared in silence. Bellatrix glared open-mouthed. Some of the other Death Eaters sniggered. No one dared speak to Bellatrix like this. I had the Dark Lord on my side though, so I knew she wouldn't do anything.
"Ungrateful brat, you've been around that horrid brother of yours for far too long." She spat leaving the room. The others followed quickly not wanting to linger. I pulled my cloak on tight and prepared to Floo home. I had to be sneaky, technically, I should still be at Hogwarts.
When I got to Grimmauld Place, it was eerily quiet. My parents must have been out, all the better. I walked around the kitchen table still listening. So, taking a deep breath, I called Kreacher. He appeared with a loud CRACK! His eyes bulged when he saw me.
"Master Regulus, shouldn't you be at school?" he asked.
"I'll go back when I'm done." I said. "Kreacher, the Dark Lord has asked me for his help. He needs to borrow you for some important task."
Kreacher's face lit up. "Anything to help Master Regulus!"
"I don't trust him Kreacher; I don't like the sound of what he's up to. When he has no more need of you, come back home. Don't tell my parents any of this, you never went to help him and you never saw me, understood?" I asked. Kreacher nodded. He was looking worried.
"Summer is almost here, then you can tell me what he wanted, okay?" I tried to reassure the house-elf.
"Yes, Master Regulus," Kreacher whispered.
"Good, now go, the Dark Lord isn't very patient." I said. Kreacher nodded again and Disapparated. I sighed. Now I had to wait another week before I found out what the Dark Lord was up to. I almost wished I hadn't.
When the summer holidays began, I knew that something was seriously wrong. Mother kept complaining that Kreacher was shirking his responsibilities. Father mentioned he didn't talk as much as before and that he seemed frightened. One night, my parents went to Uncle Cygnus and Aunt Druella's house for tea. I took the opportunity to find out what had happened to Kreacher.
I called him to my room. Kreacher looked very apprehensive. I tried to look reassuring, but I was afraid.
"Kreacher, I need you to tell me what happened when I sent you to the Dark Lord." I said kindly. Kreacher nodded.
"The Dark Lord took Kreacher to a cave next to the sea. Once in the cave, he took out a knife and cut Kreacher's arm."
"What?" I was furious. He had cut my house-elf, vandalized my property…my friend.
"He used Kreacher's blood to make a wall vanish to get to a bigger cave. A cave with a lake in it. He made a boat appear and it took Kreacher to an island in the middle of the lake. There was a basin on it filled with green potion. He made Kreacher drink it. Kreacher saw terrible things."
Kreacher was in tears. I was getting angrier by the minute. The Dark Lord certainly showed plenty of disregard toward life…unless it was himself. Selfish git…
"Go on, Kreacher, what did he do then?" I asked gently.
"The Dark Lord placed a locket in the basin and refilled it with green potion. Then he got back in the boat and sailed away laughing. He left Kreacher on the island."
I was sickened. He left Kreacher to die in that godforsaken cave. He would pay for his selfish acts…mark my words…
"Kreacher was thirsty, so he went to get a drink from the lake and a slimy white hand grabbed Kreacher and pulled him into the lake."
My stomach lurched. Inferi…
"Then Kreacher came home." He finished. I nodded. I was thinking hard. That locket seemed like it was very important to the Dark Lord, maybe even the key to his undoing…but what was the significance? Why was he protecting it?
"Kreacher, what did the locket look like?" I asked.
"It was silver and it bore a snake on it…a green snake." Kreacher answered promptly.
I gasped. That was Slytherin's crest, I would recognize it anywhere. The Dark Lord had said he was a descendant of Salazar Slytherin. Why would he hide Slytherin's locket though? You dare question me? I, who have gone further, down the path of immortality than any wizard?
Then it hit me. I had read about them once in my father's library and it had sickened me so much I had slammed the book shut and threw it into the fire. The Dark Lord had made a Horcrux. It was the locket, that's why he was hiding it. The only problem remaining was how to destroy it. The book was gone so I couldn't consult it. Hogwarts wasn't bound to have books with magic that dark. Maybe Knockturn Alley…no, I had never set foot there and I pledged I wouldn't ever.
I thought about what I did know. Horcruxes were made by ripping your soul. One did this by murdering. The only way to fix it was to feel remorse, and it was supposed to be incredibly painful. The Dark Lord would never feel remorse. The soul once ripped, needs a home, an object to protect it. If the object is destroyed, then the piece of soul dies. So, I just had to make it impossible for the piece of soul to stay in the locket…destroy it beyond repair…but how?
It was maddening knowing that I knew what the Dark Lord was doing but I had no means to stop him. Then a thought struck me. Even if I got a hold of the Horcrux and managed to destroy it, the Dark Lord would find out. He could always tell when someone was lying to him. I would never be able to hide my betrayal from him.
I looked in the mirror on my dresser. I pressed my lips together determinedly. Someone else was going to have to destroy the Horcrux, someone who knew how. I just had to get it out of the cave. I was the only one who knew about the cave, but someone else was bound find out about the Horcrux. The Dark Lord didn't exactly keep quiet about it. How else would I, a sixteen year old boy, be able to figure it out?
I grabbed a couple pieces of parchment. I had to explain to my family what had happened to me. My parents would come home to an empty house. Sirius would be devastated, tough he wouldn't admit it. Annie needed to know I knew what I was doing. Bellatrix could believe what she wanted; I never cared what she thought before, and now was no different.
Dearest Mother and Father,
Try not to be too upset with me. I hope you understand that I died to make the Wizarding World a better place. The Dark Lord is not who you think he is. He is nothing more than a selfish, glory seeking prat. He doesn't care about blood purity; it's his cover for something more sinister. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, but I do hope you make up with Sirius. He was right after all. I will miss you, but this must be done.
Love, Regulus
Somehow I knew my parents wouldn't make up with Sirius. They would be disappointed with me and probably pretend that they had never had any children. Who knows, maybe they'll attempt to have the sons they had always wanted. I went to the next piece of parchment.
Dear Andromeda,
I know I'm somewhat of a disappointment to you, but I want you to know, I believe you now. I never wanted to be a Death Eater. It's too late for me to back out now, but that hardly matters. I won't be around to feel his wrath when he finds out what I've done. Please forgive me for not believing you. I know now the Dark Lord and I don't share the same views. I will miss you…I do miss you and I sincerely hope that you miss me. I want you to know I looked up to you as much as Sirius did, I was just too much of a coward to let it show. I have always loved you and I hope you feel the same way.
Love, Regulus
That once was harder to write than I thought. Then, as an afterthought, I added: P.S. Tell Cissy what happened and that getting mixed up with the Death Eaters is a bad idea. Tell her to stay safe and that I love her.
Finally, I got to the one I sort of dreaded writing. Sirius was my brother though, and I felt he deserved to know what had happened. I couldn't let him know the whole truth, what if the owl was intercepted? I thought hard then began to write.
Dear Sirius,
This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss you and to make matters worse, you're never going to see me again. I believe you now Sirius and that puts my life at great risk. I can no longer be a Death Eater, it isn't right, but I can't just back out or they'll kill me. I want to convey to you how much I love you, how much I look up to you and wished I had listened to you. It's funny, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Gryffindor, but I didn't think I was brave enough, and now I'm practically planning two deaths, mine and the Dark…Voldemort's. I wish I could explain, but it's much too dangerous. Don't think too bad of me, will you? You mean the world to me and all I ever wanted was for you to be proud of me. Maybe one day you'll find out what really happened and you will be. I'm going to miss you more than anyone. I love you. Good-bye, Padfoot.
Love, your brother, Regulus
When I finished I couldn't stop crying. Sirius may never know what happened to me, but at least he would know I love him. I took the letters to Sirius and Annie and tied them to Asphodel's leg. After she'd flown away, I went to my dresser and rummaged in the top drawer. Finally, I found what I was looking for. I pulled out a gold locket. It had the Black Family Crest on it. If Voldemort ever went back to check on his precious Horcrux, he would know who stole it. I grinned in grim satisfaction. Serves the git right.
I tore off a bit of parchment and scribbled a quick not onto it.
To the Dark Lord,
I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know it I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match, you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
I don't know what possessed me to use my initials, but it seemed like a good idea. I folded the parchment and opened the locket. I stuck the parchment inside and picked up the locket. The whole time, Kreacher stood waiting patiently, curious to my sudden emotional changes and actions. I took a deep breath.
"Kreacher, you're not going to like what I'm going to say, but it must be done. I need you to take me to the cave…don't interrupt…once we get to the cave, I want you to switch this locket for the other one. Then get out of there and do everything you can to destroy the other locket, understand?" I asked.
Kreacher looked horrified. "What about Master Regulus?" he asked.
"Don't worry about, just do as I say. Now take me to the cave." I ordered. Kreacher gulped but did as he was told. He Apparated us to the outer chamber.
"This is where the wall needs a blood offering, Sir." Kreacher said in a shaky voice. I nodded. I searched the ground for a sharp rock. Once I found one I picked it up and cut my hand.
"Master!" Kreacher shouted, but ignored him, rubbing my cut hand on the wall. It vanished.
"Come on," I said grimly. Kreacher followed me reluctantly. It was hard staying on the bank. I had a feeling that if I touched the water I'd wake the Inferi. I shivered at the thought.
"Here Master," Kreacher whispered. He made a small boat appear. We climbed in carefully and the boat took off. Once on the island, I cautiously walked up to the basin. I saw the green potion glimmer innocently. I conjured a cup.
"Kreacher, you need to make sure I keep drinking, understood? The whole potion has to be gone, then switch the lockets and go home." I handed him the locket but he didn't take it. His eyes glistened with tears.
"Master, you cannot die! My Mistress will be so distressed! Kreacher cannot allow Master Regulus to throw his life away!"
"Kreacher, do as you're told and don't tell my parents what happened, understood?" I felt like I had said that too often lately. Kreacher nodded, tears poured done his old cheeks. I wanted to comfort him, but there was nothing I could say. I scooped up a cup of potion.
"Cheers," I said before downing it. It was disgusting. I thought nothing was going to happen, then, as I went to get another cup, something did. A memory I tried to repress because it hurt too much.
"I hate you, I hate all of you and I'm not going to stay and let you run my life anymore!" Sirius shouted.
"That is no way to talk to your mother!" Dad shouted back.
"What mother? Mother's love their sons! They love them no matter what! I have no mother!" Sirius roared.
I vaguely heard Kreacher say something and then tip more potion into my mouth.
"Sirius Orion Black! If you walk out that door you will be disowned and blasted off the family tree!" Mother screamed.
"G o ahead! Merlin knows I've waited long enough for it to happen!"
"Sirius, you don't mean that…" I tried. He rounded on me.
"You know I mean it. You're Mummy's favorite so your charm may work on her but it won't work on me. I'm not staying and nothing you have to say will change my mind." Tears filled my eyes. I know, a fifteen year old boy crying, but it hurt. Sirius had never spoken to me like that before.
"Good riddance to all of you and I hope for all our sakes we never see each other again." Sirius grabbed his trunk and wrenched open the door. Our parents were too stunned to move but I wasn't going to give in that easily. I ran after him.
"Sirius!" I shouted. He whipped around.
"What?" he snapped. I gulped.
"Please don't leave. They didn't mean it…"
"Like hell they didn't." Sirius snarled.
"Sirius…" I whispered. He glared then flagged down the Knight Bus.
"Good-bye, Regulus," he said firmly before climbing aboard. Once the bus left, I whispered "But I need you…"
"Master, you did it, you drank all the potion." Kreacher said. I opened my eyes, which had been closed in pain. Tears stained my face.
"Kreacher, did you switch the lockets?" I croaked. My throat was on fire. I had never felt this thirsty before.
"Yes Master Regulus," Kreacher said.
"Good, now go home and never mention this again. Destroy the locket." I sat up and grabbed the cup.
"Aguamenti," I whispered. Water appeared in the cup, but as I brought it to my lips, it vanished. I moaned. Of course, he wouldn't make this easy. He wanted whoever got here to die. Kreacher hadn't left yet.
"Kreacher, it's time to go." I said firmly.
"Master does not have to die." Kreacher croaked.
"Kreacher, go home." I practically yelled. Kreacher flinched. Tears shone in his eyes.
"Good-bye Master Regulus," he said and he Disapparated. Wiping away my tears, I crawled to the water. I took a handful of cold clear water. A cold, slimy, pale white hand shot out of the water and grabbed my hand. I shouted. Several hands joined the first and soon the Inferi had overpowered me. I was pulled into the freezing lake. It was murky black, but the white Inferi stood frighteningly bright. I tried to swim away but they pulled me further. The last thing I remembered in that cold, cold water was Sirius, my proud, headstrong brother and how much I would miss him…and only him.
I could suddenly breathe again. I was lying face down in what appeared to be white grass. I found this odd. Did grass grow at the bottom of a lake? I felt a set of strong arms pull me up into a sitting position. I blinked in the bright light. It was a man I had never seen before. He smiled kindly. There was a girl standing behind him. She was gorgeous. She was the prettiest girl I had ever seen.
"I'm Todd Riley and this is Romilda Lupin." The man said. I gaped.
"Did you just say Lupin?"
A/N: That is probably the longest one. I love Regulus. I hope it was good. I certainly felt emotional while I wrote this. Please review!