This started as a challenge, but I decided to write another chapter (this chapter isn't part of the challenge) for fun anyway.

Disclaimer: Everything Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 2: Duel In the Graveyard

A fortnight had passed since Regulus' first raid and now, as he stood waiting in the cemetery, he regretted his choice of becoming a Death Eater more than ever. The moon behind him glowed yellow, giving the mist that surrounded him the same foreboding tint. The gravestones reared up from the ground like black fingers that seemed to loom closer every minute, as if they were trying to ensnare him within their clutches. Remembering why he was waiting there, Regulus drew his wand; he could feel his heart thumping loudly as the seconds dragged by.

He jumped slightly as there was a faint pop and Bellatrix appeared; he noticed she had her wand drawn by her side as she approached him.

"I must admit you are doing well so far—" There was a brief pause and Regulus shifted uncomfortably under his cousin's gaze. "—considering your age… However, the Dark Lord feels there is the need for improvement." Not waiting for a reply, she continued. "Your talent with the Imperius Curse is impressive, but you have shown incompetence regarding the other Unforgivables…"

"I used the Cruciatus Curse two nights ago," Regulus said in defense.

"Yes, but you did not cast it correctly—you must want to harm the victim, you must enjoy their suffering." Bellatrix smiled tauntingly at him. "But perhaps the curse is too advanced for your level of magical ability…" Regulus frowned and opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off, "Prove it to me, then!"

He hesitated for a moment and shouted, "Crucio!"

Bellatrix took a sudden step backwards and gritted her teeth against the spell, but she managed to deflect it with a simple flick of her wand. Her eyes glinting with malice, she pointed her wand directly at Regulus and also cried, "Crucio!"

Pain such as he had never experienced before seared through Regulus' body and he screamed, collapsing on the ground in unbearable agony. As soon as the pain had started, it stopped and he hastily stood up, stumbling slightly.

"Shall I demonstrate a second time?" She raised her wand to perform the curse again, but Regulus shot a stunning spell that narrowly missed her shoulder, striking a grave behind her. "Little Reggie knows how to play," Bellatrix laughed, a fanatical tone ringing in her voice.

Regulus quickly dived behind the headstone next to him to avoid a rather nasty burning hex that had fired out of her wand, and he heard the stone crack beneath the spell's force. He leapt out and uttered the first incantation that he could think of.

"Stupefy!"

"Protego!"

He ducked as his jinx was bounced back towards him, its red light illuminating the area as it shot through the air.

"Is that the best you can do?" Bellatrix said. "Two stunners aren't going to be enough to win a duel."

With a loud crack, Regulus Disapparated and reappeared directly behind her; he bellowed, "Impedimenta!" and, having been caught off guard, his cousin was knocked backwards off her feet and thrown against one of the gravestones.

"Incarcerous!" Thick cords of rope burst out of Bellatrix's wand tip and snaked towards Regulus, who disintegrated them with a flare of fire.

"Relashio!" he shouted, but she blocked the blast of scorching water and made a quick slashing motion with her wand.

Regulus felt a sharp pain in his right arm and he fell to his knees on the ground, holding the wound with his other hand. Before he could make a grab for his dropped wand, Bellatrix pinned it in the grass with her foot and pointed her own wand at his heart.

Breathing rapidly, Regulus remained frozen in defeat, not daring to make any sudden movements.

"With more practice you will certainly become an invaluable asset to the Dark Lord in the future," Bellatrix let him stand up and handed him his wand. "As for now, I suggest you prepare yourself—we have a difficult task to complete tomorrow night…"

I'm not really sure where this is going yet. Maybe I'll do various events during the time Regulus was a Death Eater, leading up until his death (if he did indeed die—we've got to wait for the last book to know for sure).

Thanks for reading!

-PurpleArmadillo