This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Word Count: 1041

Title: Discovering the First Horcrux

Note:

Warnings: mentions child abuse, canon death, mention of under age sexual activities

Beta: Herochick007

The House Cup:

[House]: Hufflepuff

[Class] History Of Magic

[Prompts]: [Time] 5:30 AM

[Discovery] - the act of finding something that had not been known before; learning something new.

[Category]: Themed

Regulus had been looking up methods of Dark Magic, ways to extend your life. He knew that Voldemort was so afraid of Death that he would go to any means to become immortal. He had come across the name Horcrux, almost by accident, and something in his gut just told him this could be it. He often heard Voldemort talk about how there was nothing worse than death. Even killing people to split your soul? Spoiler alert, the answer you are looking for is yes.

It became clear to the younger Black brother that it didn't matter to Voldemort who got hurt, even his own people were nothing more than puppets and he was the evil puppet master, someone needed to stop him, and Regulus had no idea if he was the right one to stop him and break free from the strings, but he needed to try.

Regulus left Severus asleep, a small note on his bedside table. The words seemed to echo in his mind, he knew Severus wouldn't understand why he left without a word, but he couldn't let his emotions get the best of him, he only had one chance to do this.

Dear Sev,

I know this note might catch you by surprise. There is something I need to do, something about the person who is keeping us prisoners in our own lives. I probably can't ever come home to you again, and the images of our future make me struggle to leave this room. But you once told me that doing the right thing is its own reward. I know you were talking about making peace with Lily, and I hope it is something that happens for you.

I love you

Forever.

He knew something that nobody else did, he found out the real way Voldemort was staying in charge, and he found a way to confirm his suspicions. He swore an Oath to Voldemort that no Wizard would know of this. So, of course he could speak to Kreacher, and once he found out that the necklace had been put under his own House Elf's care, he couldn't let this chance pass.

Regulus put on his robes, watching the sleeping form of his lover, perhaps for the last time in his life. The electric clock showed the time- 5:30 AM. He took a look around the room they shared, from the red silk bedding to the half open cupboard that held mostly Severus's clothing, he tried not to laugh about the pile of clothing near the door, Severus had the bad habit of just tossing his clothes on the floor of the room, and not putting it in the wash basket. They had numerous arguments about how disorganized Severus was. Now, none of that seemed to matter so much anymore. Even a glance at the open drawer that held all the sweet wrappers, simply made him reminisce about Sev's midnight snacking habits.

He opened the door quietly, and closed it with a click behind him. He needed to get to his house while his parents were still away. They would never understand. This man couldn't hold so much power over others, it wasn't right. He checked the street, and then Disappartated. He liked the neighborhood Severus lived in on his own. It was mostly a Muggle area, but it was far enough from Sev's father… Regulus had more money than he knew what to do with, so as soon as he knew lover's dad was abusive, he wanted to do the right thing, they went to a Muggle lawyer and even got Severus emancipated at age 14. Severus insisted on having a part time job when he wasn't at school, but Regulus knew Sev would never have enough to pay him back, and he didn't expect him to.

He had hidden money in Severus's apartment, enough to get him through school and cover his rent and food for his little apartment, the apartment that Regulus always insisted they would grow old in together. Not anymore…

As soon as he reached Black Manor, he called for Kreacher, and sat down on a couch for a minute. His heart was racing, was he going to know? Would Voldemort catch him and torture his family? Regulus shuddered. His eyes took in the family portrait, and he let his fingers trace the burnt canvas where his brother's name was once written. Before his mother blasted Sirius of furious with his life choices. Was he doing the right thing? Who was he to go against the Dark Lord after all?

"Master Reggie," Kreacher said, bowing deeply.

"Did you get the replacement?" Regulus asked, wringing his hands together.

Kreacher presented it to Regulus. "It looks exactly the same, Master." Kreacher insisted, handing it over.

Regulus nodded.

"You know the promise you made, Kreacher," he insisted solemnly.

"Of course Master," Kreacher vowed. "I will tell nobody about this."

"Especially not Mum and Dad," Regulus insisted.

"Yes, Master."

His eyes were filled with tears, and the green light from the clock seemed to be stuck in his mind- 5:30 AM, the last time he would ever see the man he loves. Nothing else felt real, the rest of his mind was flickering with memories of the innocents he saw being tortured, the people he needed to kill to prove his loyalty, those simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. He discovered the Horcrux, and he knew he was the first to ever know the location and meaning of it.

He faintly heard Kreacher muttered, begging him to stop, yet making him keep drinking. Oh, he recognized the voice, it wasn't Kreacher, it was him begging to stop, despite making Kreacher promise to make him finish it. The liquid was meant to weaken and torment him.

Regulus heard a pop as Kreacher vanished with the necklace, Regulus couldn't bear to have even the House Elf see him like that, so he told Kreacher to go, and never speak of this again. Kreacher left, being unable to disobey a direct order and once Regulus reached delirium, he saw Sev's face, promising him that he'll be waiting, and then Regulus' eyes closed for the last time and everything faded to black.