Chapter 21: Family Values
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction and no copyright is intended. Everything that you recognise from the Harry Potter Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: Two chapters in two days! Here's to hoping the inspiration sticks around!
Also, as I didn't receive any feedback on the last chapter about the previews at the end of chapters, I thought I'd give it a trial at the end of this chapter anyway! :)
He had newfound sympathy for goats; having something akin to a million bezoars weighing down on his stomach – solidified dread. He only wished someone would extract the blooming burden.
He had helped her. Twice.
He had cursed a fellow housemate - worse yet, he forfeited the Snitch to keep her from being spelled from the sky and, possibly, from life.
"You're not going to die, Regulus,"
He wished he would.
"Not tonight, by any count."
A twisted version of a smile, squeezed and forced through a grimace, pulled at his lips.
Narcissa shook her head, sighing against the balustrade her arms rested upon, "I tried to tell Bellatrix you were too young –"
"I'm not some kid!"
Regulus was rigid with ire, his eyes as wide as the moon shining down on them. His chest was a spliced as the ledge they leant against at the top of the Astronomy Tower.
Narcissa threw her head back and laughed. A cold, dark, high laugh. And then she looked at Regulus with such dark amusement that his shoes felt too tight.
"Wake up, Regulus!" Narcissa punctuated her words with crisp slaps on the balustrade, shaking her head; leaning closer to Regulus' face all the while, "We're all kids!"
At that moment, Regulus didn't care for her lost love.
At that moment, Regulus didn't care for her lost sister.
He didn't care for her lost innocence.
Nobody had cared for his.
"He chose me!" The words felt hollow – cold, unlike the thumping blood through his arm that lifted to point at his cousin, "He honoured me!"
Narcissa's shoulders lifted beneath her evening cloak as she drew herself away from him, her eyes as thin as knives.
"You were convenient!"
His chest took on a state of disquiet at her words, thumping and basking in the truth.
And Narcissa knew it.
She huffed, she puffed, and then she fixed her hair with the delicate swipe of a nail.
Narcissa considered him for a long moment before continuing, quieter, "And what if you fail? If you're caught?"
Regulus turned away from the words – repelled by the truth of them.
"You doubt him."
Narcissa all but bared her teeth and raised her hackles, "I've seen what he's done when people exhaust their usefulness."
His words filled his mouth, but his heart didn't follow.
"You speak ill of the Dark Lord."
Narcissa blew out a breath, "It's just us here, Regulus."
"I could tell him," said Regulus, but he didn't sound right to his own ears, "I could tell him what you've said – Lucius won't be his favourite new recruit, perhaps even alive for your wedding –"
Narcissa raised a quivering hand, "Enough!"
Regulus watched her hand lower, away from her matching quivering lips.
"I could." said Regulus, overcome up to his ears in an icy victory.
Narcissa's lips barely moved, much like her eyes – which didn't lift from the glittering lake, "You won't."
"You don't know that."
"You won't," said Narcissa, firmer, and with a twisted smile as she lifted her head, "For the same reason why I'm concerned for you – you won't, because we're family."
"What happens now – the unbreakable vow –"
"From what I've heard," said Narcissa, frowning, "You only consented to lure her out of the school, whether through expulsion or leading her out the front gates."
"Well, why not the next Hogsmeade trip?" asked Regulus, clearing his throat to will his voice lower.
"I am not privy to the Dark Lord's inner most thoughts, but –" Narcissa's eyes flashed like blue steel to ward off any interruptions "– it seems he wants to acquire something first, and wants you to be able deliver her when he's ready."
Frustration exploded behind his navel, as well as a laugh.
"Oh, yeah, easy job."
Narcissa's cool gaze was like a needle to Regulus' temple.
"Your mother would have you think that you and Sirius are on different planets," said Narcissa, sighing and leaning on the balustrade beside Regulus once more, "But you're two sides of the same sickle – always have been."
The words, much to his chagrin, lifted the corners of Regulus' lips.
"Careful, you'll have mother thinking that I'm Dumbledore's man next."
Narcissa's sniff was loud in the night, "Not even Sirius is fooled by that… well, that old fool."
An easy air passed between the cousins, and Regulus felt the burning desire to rid himself of accidentally harboured information.
"Narcissa?"
A familiar cool penetrated the side of his face, and he knew she was listening – watching.
"Her daughter just had her second birthday," said Regulus, pausing and gulping, "They named her Nymphadora,"
Narcissa's hands fell away from the balustrade.
Regulus rushed out his next words before she could leave, "I saw the letter in Sirius' room before he..."
Narcissa didn't leave.
"Did I not warn you?"
The words pricked at the remnants of Regulus' sense of humour.
"Which time?" asked Regulus, turning and not bothering to smother his smile.
Narcissa's eyes vanished as she rolled them away from him, shaking her head.
"You're lucky it's only you and me against our family now, dear cousin."
"I would never –"
"Oh, hush."
Author's Note: Thank you for reading!
I've been wanting to make a proper cover for this story and was wondering if anyone could recommend any good websites or programs? Any help would be greatly appreciated, it's something I've never done before :)
*~ Chapter 22: Whomping Willow (preview) ~*
There was no witty retort.
There was no eye roll.
It was a mistake.
Yelling was a mistake.
Saying those words was a mistake.
James knew it the moment he said them.