Leaving Out All the Rest/Joan of Arc: Age Eighteen
"Congratulations," Regulus said.
"It's not like we don't have you to thank," the bride, Antoinette, smiled.
"Lizzy's idea," he said. "I just helped."
"According to Lizzy you were the one to come up with the idea," Gerard said.
Regulus shot a glare at a brunette, who was laughing with her date.
"…Congratulations, anyway."
Gerard and Antoinette laughed. Regulus made his way over to the girl he'd glared at earlier.
"Elizabeth Marie Prewett…"
"Regulus Arcturus Black," she countered with a laugh. She was pretty, with dark blue eyes and dark brown hair.
"Why'd you tell Gerard and Antoinette that I came up with the idea to leave them at the cinema?"
She laughed. "Because it was your idea."
Regulus groaned. "All I need is Sirius hearing I snuck off to Muggle London more times than he had."
"You put too much store in what others think."
"You don't care enough what people think."
"It's great to see you, Reg!" Lizzy grinned, throwing her arms around his neck. "You know Brendon Poe, don't you?"
"Your fiancé? Yes, I know him, I'm the one that pointed out that he fancied you, remember?"
She turned red.
"Good to see you again, Brendon."
"You too, Regulus."
"Lizzy, can I talk to you?" Regulus asked.
"Sure…"
They walked to the parking lot. "Lizzy… I want you to know that you're my best friend, and nothing could ever change that. But, you know what I am… I've found a way to bring him down."
"You have?"
"Yes, but… I can't tell you, it's too dangerous, just knowing about it. But, for me to do this, I –I'm going to die. I have to… it's the only way."
"Regulus, you can't be serious! Die?" Lizzy's eyes were wide and fearful.
"Remember Joan of Arc?"
"But that doesn't mean you have to kill yourself!"
"I'll be a martyr, Lizzy. It's for the good of the future."
"You're so damn prideful, Black! Can't you just go to Dumbledore?" she asked.
"You know I can't. Just remember the good of me. Please?"
"I'll try."
"Everyone has good and evil in them, that Anne Frank girl sure thought so."
She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Even so…"
"Lizzy." The tone of his voice was quiet, but final.
"All right, Regulus. I'll remember the good times."
"Thanks," he said. He hugged her. "'Bye, Lizzy."
"Won't you stay just a little bit longer?"
"I can't. If anyone asks, be sure to tell them I did the right thing."
"I'll be sure to tell Sirius and Andromeda, Reg."
Regulus released her and gave her a sad smile, which she returned. "Don't cry for me, okay?"
She nodded. "'Bye, Reg."
He left for his house, looking back only once, but Lizzy had gone back inside.