Regulus walked away from Stricken's room with a sense of contempt. Yet, try as he may, he couldn't seem to shift the disdain onto Stricken. It remained – to his dread – fully focused on himself for not rescuing her.

He bit his lip, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Regulus was trying to wake himself up because surely, this was a childish fantasy. Merlin, he thought that being eighteen would be the end to hormones and idiotic decisions. Unfortunately, his life seemed to revolve around such decisions.

After all, he was killing so many… No. He – he had to. It's what he believed in. Regulus Arcturus Black believed in what the death eaters were doing! He – he enjoyed it. Right?

Regulus had not the heart to lie to himself once again but the truth! Ai, the truth was too horrible to bear in his mind. He could not – could never – recognize just how terrible his decisions really were. After all, then what would he do? Something stupid, no doubt.

Something like Sirius would do. His brother – no, not his brother, was a Gryffindor, and Regulus knew what Sirius would have done. After – of course – smacking him multiple times for getting into this situation – he would rescue Stricken and be gone. The death eaters wouldn't find him again.

"Black!" Regulus spun around to the call behind him. It was Malfoy. He was standing there – as always – with a sneer on his face, and his hair hung down, combed perfectly, onto his back.

"What, Malfoy?" Regulus's cousin may be married to him, but he would never like Lucius Malfoy. Perhaps it was because Malfoy had always been so cruel at attacks, but no, it couldn't be because this was what Regulus believed in.

"The Dark Lord wishes to see you," Malfoy said, stepping closer. Regulus could see his lip curling with the disgust of being a message boy. As always, he tried to provoke Malfoy because of it. Malfoy's superior act was disgusting, and Regulus had heard him complain – away from the Dark Lord's ear – that "Malfoy's deserved better."

"Of course," Regulus said, already tightening his – admittedly weak – occulmency shields. They weren't amazing, but they would do as long as the Dark Lord didn't try to force his way in. Regulus doubted he'd try that. Usually, it drove the victim insane.

Regulus really hoped he wouldn't try that.

"Thank you for bringing me the message, Malfoy." The words were said in a snarl, and Regulus knew that Malfoy understood that the thanks were not said in gratitude. Malfoy glared once again and then he stormed off, down the halls.

Regulus took a deep breath. He needed to calm himself. There could be no emotion in front of the Dark Lord. Except for Bella, she showed emotion all of the time. Yet, she was bloody in love with the Dark Lord, so, she was a different story.

Schooling his features into a mask, Regulus walked towards the study. He walked towards the Dark Lord.

The person he believed in.

Why was that voice so weak?

He went to knock on the door, only to freeze as he heard voices. It was the Dark Lord and… and another death eater. Regulus could not place the name.

"I am immortal now, my servant."

"Yes, my lord," the voice said. "Have you hidden the Horcruxes, yet?"

"Of course, Mullog."

"Wonderful, my lord," the other – Mullog – exclaimed. Regulus could tell that he was amazed at the prospect of the Dark Lord being immortal. So was Regulus, right? The sick feeling inside of him was only the shock.

"You have been my most faithful servant, Mullog," the Dark Lord continued. Regulus could hear the slight excitement he had learned to recognize. The Dark Lord was going to kill him, and as always, he was excited to kill someone.

"Of course, my lord." Regulus could hear Mullog becoming nervous. Did he recognize the Dark Lord's anticipation, too?

"But you know too much. I will regret this; I am sure. Avada Kedavra." There was a flash of green light that reflected from under the door. Then a thump. The Dark Lord let out a hiss that Regulus knew to be parseltongue.

Finally, knowing it was time to announce his presence, Regulus knocked on the heavy door.

"Who is it?"

"Regulus Black, my lord," he said emotionlessly.

"Ah, Black. Enter." Regulus took one last deep breath and pulled open the door. Inside, the Dark Lord was sitting on a chair meant to be a throne. It was, of course, one of Malfoy's, and Regulus felt a surge on content go through him at the thought of Malfoy seeing someone else on an expensive chair custom made for Malfoy himself. Then he quelled the emotions.

"You called, my lord?"

The Dark Lord himself was a strong presence. He was very awe-inspiring and very terrifying. Regulus, though, felt more fear than awe. The Dark Lord was immortal.

But…

It didn't matter that the Dark Lord was making himself immortal. In fact, he wanted the Dark Lord to be immortal because then nothing could ever stop him from putting Mudbloods in their place.

Why did that sound so terrible? If the Dark Lord was to last forever – would there be any people left at the end of it? Would he even have a realm to rule?

"Ah, yes, Black. Your cousin has informed me that you own a house elf, correct?" Regulus began to nod before catching himself. The Dark Lord could take only a nod as offensive – if he felt the need to torture someone.

"Yes, my Lord."

"I have a… job for him. You will order the elf to come with me tomorrow."

"Yes, my Lord," Regulus repeated. He was slightly fearful. After all, the Dark Lord had proved time and time again – as did most purebloods – that he had no respect of other races nor the magic they held.

Kreacher had a lot of magic. Regulus had learned over and over again that it was to be respected. That was a lesson his brother – no, Sirius. They were no longer brothers - had never learned.

"Oh, and Black, I heard you weren't strong enough to perform the cruciatus curse." Regulus tensed, waiting to feel the painful – no, worse than painful – bite of the cruciatus curse on himself. It didn't come. When he dared to raise his eyes, he found the Dark Lord staring at him.

"Yes, my Lord," Regulus affirmed in a soft voice, realizing that the Dark Lord was awaiting an answer.

"Be stronger next time, Black. Crucio."

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Hey guys! I know it's been a long time. This fic isn't the one I'm focusing on at the moment.

Please review. This is my first attempt at a romance fic. I need to know how it's going!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.