AN: This was written for round thirteen of QL. I have to say this is totally the first time I've ever given this pairing a shot and I really hope I did it justice. But I did enjoy the challenge.

Prompts used: Aptitude – a natural ability to do something, First person narrative, Picture

Word count: 1,106

Determination

I stood at the window, staring out at the pavement below. A muggle construction sign has made its home in the empty land across the street - tucked away behind a street lamp. The fury of dark clouds crept their way over the empty field across the street. Thunder rumbled in the distance as the sky continued to grow darker.

It was set to rain.

The weather did nothing to sooth my rattled nerves.

I glanced down at the chain I held in my hand – the locket slowly swaying back and forth.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to slow my breathing. It had only been a few days since I had switched the lockets. I was no closer to finding a way to destroy it.

But I couldn't let that deter me. I had to find a way to get rid of it – to destroy it.

A soft pop behind me startled me from my thoughts. I contained myself before I turned around to face the source of the noise.

"Is Master Regulus alright?" Kreacher asked me.

I nodded. "Of course."

"Kreacher doesn't trust that object, sir."

"Neither do I," I admitted. "But I'm no closer to being able to destroy it than I was three days ago. And I haven't any idea what to do with it."

I took a deep breath. I was trying to find a way to stop you-know-who without even having the slightest idea of how to go about it.

Some great idea.

"Kreacher came to fetch master," the house elf said again, pulling me from my thoughts. "You have a visitor."

"Thank you, Kreacher, I shall take care of it," I said.

The house elf disappeared with a pop just as he appeared.

I took a moment to compose myself before tucking the locket safely into a box and placing it in the back of my wardrobe. I left my room and walked down the stairs to the entryway.

The man standing just in the doorway took me by surprise. I hadn't thought I'd ever see him again. Not since the night we went our separate ways.

"Barty, what brings you around?" I questioned. "I highly doubt it's a personal visit."

That much was made painfully clear that December night.

"Do you really think you can defeat the Dark Lord?" Barty asked, jumping straight to the point. Like he always did.

I could try lying to him but I knew it wouldn't help. Barty could always see right through me. He knew me almost as well as I knew myself.

The fire was blazing in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth as the snow continued to fall outside.

"We can't do this anymore," the words were softly spoken through the dark of the night.

I almost thought I had imagined them until he spoke again.

"I'm serious, this can't happen again."

I turned my head to stare at him through the darkness. The words like a rock to my chest. After all this time, after everything we've been through.

I pushed the emotions down, not wanting him to see the pain. I was stronger than that.

I rolled over onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. "If that's the way you feel. Who am I to argue?"

I knew it wouldn't help anything – arguing. If there was one thing about Barty, it was that once he put his mind to something, there was no stopping him. I knew nothing I could say or do would change anything, so why bother?

"Don't let this be like that." I felt the bed move as he situated himself. "We both know this isn't going to last. We can't keep falling into bed together, expecting it to be more than it'll end up being."

I could feel his eyes on me, but I refused to turn my head to meet his gaze. I was content with staring at the white of the ceiling and keeping up my stony expression, masking my feelings.

"Reg, don't do this."

I stole a glance at him. "Perhaps you're right. Maybe this won't end up being more than what it is….and if so, maybe it would be best if you just left."

I pulled myself from the memory. Not wanting to dwell on the past or the once happy memories.

"What's it to you?" I asked as I descended the stairs. "I could have sworn you didn't care."

"Just because I called things off that night doesn't mean I stopped caring," Barty stated. "We both know exactly what He is capable of…And I think we both know this is a battle you won't win, especially if you-know-who finds out that you've betrayed him."

"And I'm sure you'll going to run back and tell him, won't you?" I almost spat.

He took a moment to respond. "You know I'm not going to do that…I just want to warn you of the consequences of these actions."

"I know full well what I'm getting myself into," I told him. "I'm well aware of what might happen to me, but I can't let that stop me from doing what's right."

"What you believe is right and what actually is right are too different things," Barty said.

"We're on opposite sides now," I stated. "I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"Are we really going to let something like this ruin what we had?"

I refrained myself from scoffing. "As if that December night hadn't already ruined whatever it was we used to have…this won't affect something that isn't there to begin with."

"I just wanted to—"

I held up a hand, cutting him off. "I'm not interesting in anything else you have to say or the so called concern you claim you have."

"But—"

I shook my head. "It won't mean anything…Now, if you would kindly leave, I think it would be in both of our interests."

"Don't say I didn't warn you, Reg," he said as he slowly retreated back towards the front door. He edged the door open. "I'm sorry it had to end this way," was the last thing he said before he walked out.

I stared at the door long after he'd left. I wouldn't let his worries deter me from stopping, or trying to stop the Dark Lord. Things were different now and he didn't affect me like he once did and I wouldn't let him affect me now.

I couldn't.

Not when I had this plan in motion. I was determined to end the Dark Lord's reign and I would do it.

If it was the last thing I did.