Prompt: Scar (Lion King) - Write about someone betraying their family

Position: Seeker

Word Count: 1,350

Leo's Brightest Star

Regulus knows what he is doing. He understands that betraying the Dark Lord is betraying his family too. His mother would no doubt blast his name off the tapestry faster than she had Sirius's. But in his heart, Regulus knows that he isn't a traitor. What he plans to do will make him nothing less than a hero.

'It's funny,' Regulus thinks as he looks at the rocky island. 'How Sirius had the courage to up and leave, while I blindly followed a madman. Maybe that's why he was sorted into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin. I wish I could go back and change what happened.'

"Is Master Regulus okay?" Kreacher asks as he stands beside him.

Regulus looks down at Kreacher as he tries to swallow the nervousness away.

"I'm fine. Just a bit nervous. I don't know what we'll face once we get in there," Regulus says, looking back at the hidden cave.

Taking a deep breath, Regulus starts walking towards the cave that Voldemort has protected with deadly traps and Dark magic. Regulus casts Lumos as he reaches the entrance, and the dark cave brightens up slightly. Kreacher follows Regulus as they head deeper into the cave.

"I guess we're here," Regulus tells Kreacher as they stop.

Lying in front of the pair is a pitch black lake. Regulus shivers slightly; the feeling he is getting from the lake isn't a good one. He sends a ball of light out towards the lake. As it gets farther away, a small island suddenly appears.

"I guess that island is our destination," Regulus says. "How'll we get across?"

"Kreacher can bring us there if Master Regulus would like him to," Kreacher suggests as he looks up at Regulus.

Regulus opens his mouth to respond when he spots something floating towards them. He recognizes it as a boat as it floats over to their side. When the boat lightly hits the rocky land, Regulus walks closer with Kreacher following behind him. Regulus looks at the boat, then out towards the island. He is about to climb into the boat, when he suddenly stops.

"Master Regulus? Is everything alright?"

Regulus knows. He knows that once he steps onto the boat, there will be no turning back. Not now, not ever. Is he really going to do this? Throw away his chance of a…mostly normal life and be on the run from Voldemort? He could go to Sirius. His big brother would protect him, but would he forgive him for being a Death Eater? Would the people he called family ever talk to him again? What will his parents think? Would they still love him?

Doubt slowly creeps into Regulus's heart—doubt that his plan would work, if he could successfully destroy the Horcrux.

He could turn back. Pretend this didn't happen and continue his role as a Death Eater. It would be so easy to remove the memories and just throw them away.

Oh how he longs for the simple days. Before Hogwarts. Before Voldemort. Before his stupid decision to join the Death Eaters. A time before the fate of the magical world laid on his shoulders. When it was just him and Sirius playing together, being the brothers that they should still be.

"Master Regulus?" Kreacher says, snapping Regulus out of his thoughts.

"Yes, Kreacher?"

"Would Master Regulus like a second to think everything over? Kreacher doesn't mind waiting."

"No. That won't be necessary. I'm alright," Regulus says as he straightens up.

Casting away his doubt, Regulus boards the boat. Kreacher climbs into the boat as well and they slowly leave the rocky land. Regulus sits down as the boat takes them closer and closer to the island. To the Horcrux.

"Kreacher, you have the fake locket, right?"

"Yes Master Regulus. Kreacher has the fake locket right here," Kreacher tells Regulus as he removes it from around his neck. "Would Master Regulus like to hold the fake locket?"

"Yes. Thank you," Regulus says as he takes the locket from Kreacher.

He opens the locket as he removes a piece of paper from his jacket— a note that he wrote to the Dark Lord. Regulus wants Voldemort to know who betrayed him. Who was the reason for his sudden downfall. He carefully places the note into the locket, before closing it once again. Regulus puts it in his pocket. He looks up, when the boat rocks, hitting the island.

"Right then, let's get this over with."

"Yes Master Regulus," Kreacher says as they get off of the boat.

Regulus climbs up to the top, and center, of the island. There, he sees a bowl filled with some sort of liquid. He thinks it is a potion of some sort. Laying next to the bowl is a crystal scoop. Regulus picks it up, holding it in his right hand.

"Kreacher, whatever happens, make sure I finish this. Make sure you switch the lockets," Regulus tells him as he hands the fake locket back to Kreacher.

"Yes Master Regulus."

Regulus smiles slightly as he takes a step to the bowl. He looks into the murky grey liquid. Taking a breath, he scoops some of the liquid out of the bowl.

"Well, bottoms up," Regulus mutters as he drinks the potion.

The next few minutes are just a blur to Regulus. He can clearly hear Kreacher saying something to him. He responds with something back as another scoop of the potion is drunk. Regulus tries to focus on counting how many times he drank the potion. Three. Four. Six. Eight. Five. What number is he at? Nine. One...wait, one? This can't be the first one! Eleven. Sirius?! Where's his big brother?! He was just here! Where is he?! Fourteen. Fifteen. Sixteen. Eighteen. Wait, isn't he eighteen? Ah yes, that sounds correct. Hold on, why was he counting again?

"Master Regulus. It is done, Master Regulus," Kreacher says as Regulus blinks away the darkness.

"Wha—?"

"Kreacher has switched the lockets. Kreacher and Master Regulus should get out of here."

"Water," Regulus mutters as his eyes fall onto the lake.

Stumbling to the lake, he crouches next to it. Regulus cups his hands as he scoops some water up. Suddenly, a pale white hand reaches for him. Regulus shouts in surprise as he is pulled under. The cold water shocks him to his senses. Regulus pushes the thing off of him and successfully gets back onto the island. He gasps for air as he reaches the top.

"Master Regulus!"

"I'm fine Kreacher," Regulus says as he looks down at the water.

His eyes widen as dozens of white hands reach out of the water. Regulus goes to grab for his wand, only to feel nothing. He silently curses, seeing as he somehow lost it.

"Kreacher, get out of here," Regulus orders as the creatures start to pull themselves out of the lake.

"But Master," Kreacher starts to say, only for Regulus to cut him off.

"I order you to leave. You are to do everything in your power to destroy the locket," Regulus tells Kreacher.

"Y-yes Master Regulus. Farewell Master Regulus," Kreacher says as he apparates away.

Regulus doesn't fight when the pale creatures reach him. He doesn't fight as they pull him towards the lake. He knows that this was the end for him.

'Oh Sirius. How I wish that we would have more time. How I wish we could be brothers again. Alas, that won't happen and you'll never know what I did. How I betrayed our family to do the right thing.'

Regulus looks up at the cave's ceiling as he is forced underwater. He couldn't even imagine what his family would think of him if they ever knew, but he knew that Sirius would be proud of him.

Slowly the light fades away. Regulus tries to breathe, only to consume water. He greets darkness silently as he closes his eyes for the last time.