This chapter is extra dark. I'm not fond of Walpurga.
I own nothing.
Chapter Three: Mother
Walpurga reminded Regulus of a crocodile, a cold-blooded reptile that held no reservations about devouring its own young. It wasn't a normal thought for a child to harbor about his mother, but Regulus was hardly normal. Walpurga watched him like a predator, always watching for a sign of weakness, or perhaps a sign of defiance, an excuse to rip, to tear, to kill. He did not feel safe alone with her.
So far, both she and Orion were convinced he was mentally deficient in some way, but they never stopped watching.
Regulus felt justified in his wariness after Walpurga used the cruciatus on Sirius for the first time, but he had never been overly concerned by her wand.
"Did Master Regulus dream again?" Kreacher whispered in the early hours of the morning after Regulus started awake.
"Yes Kreacher, I did" he admitted tiredly.
"Does Master Regulus wish to show Kreacher? Master Regulus does need to practice his control after all." Yes, he did. A few months ago, the two of them had been scouring the library for a way to lessen the frequency of Regulus's nightmares and they had stumbled upon occlumency. Unfortunately, he wasn't far enough along in his self study to block the dreams yet.
"Alright Kreacher, come here," he sighed and the small elf sat with him on the bed.
Regulus felt exhausted. Not the usual weariness that set in after staying up late, but a coldness that penetrated deep into his bones and wouldn't leave. His arms were heavy and even the slightest twitch of his fingers sent a spark of pain through all the muscles of his arm. Bandages were wrapped tightly around his face, obscuring one eye, and a cold cloth was placed on his forehead.
A pale -too pale woman came into view as he struggled to keep his left eye open. Regulus then felt a cup being pressed to his lips.
"Nonde anata no chikara o torimodoshite kudasai." Her voice was a soft whisper. A petal on the wind.
He drank and his world erupted in fire
Pain! Every nerve cried out -screamed in protest.
Pain! His blood was boiling in his veins.
Pain! He heard a panicked shout and a strong, warm hand held his head as callused fingers were shoved down his throat.
Pain! "Darekaga hīrā o te ni iremasu!" a male voice cried.
Pain! Darkness fell across his vision as his left eye closed.
"Watashi wa musuko ni fujiyū o suru koto wa arimasen." The petal drifted to the ground.
AN: This dream was supposed to be confusing.
Nonde anata no chikara o torimodoshite kudasai- drink and regain your strength
Darekaga hīrā o te ni iremasu- someone get the healer
Watashi wa musuko ni fujiyū o suru koto wa arimasen- I will not have a cripple for a son