Chapter 43: Life Goes On

May held onto Regulus as he cried. Her arms wrapped tight around him. "Tell me. What's wrong?"

"I can't do it... I just can't." He sobbed hard. "I can get out but I'd probably die trying."

"No." She moved to lie on top of him. She kissed him hard on the mouth. "No. I won't let you do it. Please just run away." She rolled off him. Both of them lying on their sides, looking at the other. She reached up and wiped away his tears. "I'll run away with you. I'll come with you. Us two against the world."

Regulus laughed and nodded. "Would you?"

"In a heartbeat." She smiled, pushing his hair away from his face. "Let's get through our NEWT's and then we'll run away. In Hogwarts, we are safe."

He nodded and shifted closer to her. "Yes. I like that idea." He kissed her hard, running his fingers through her hair. His worries disappeared when this woman kissed him. It was going to hurt them both when he left. He had to go soon. For him and mostly for her. He wanted to keep her safe. He kissed her with all his passion. Pouring his love for her into this one kiss. It wasn't before long and they were making love. He cried. She cried. Secretly she knew why he was being like this, but she said nothing. They held onto each other as they lay on his bed. "We best go to dinner."

"No." She chuckled softly. "Let's stay here." She lay her leg over his. "It's very comfortable here."

"It is." He spoke softly as his hand ran down her back. "I never want to let you go. You have made my life whole." He kissed the top of her black hair.

- - - - - - - - - – - - - - - - - - - - - - – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Despite being happy with Regulus, May began to feel sad. He wasn't paying much attention. He was constantly in the library. He would go out some evenings to the meetings and return tired and scared. The only time they were together was at night. This is where she would hold him and comfort him, but she knew his mind was elsewhere. "Don't go." She whispered to him as he slept. All this trouble with Voldemort was disturbing his studies. He was stressed and he wouldn't talk about it with May. Next week was the start of their exams and she knew he wasn't ready. She moved closer to him and fell into her own sleep.

In her dreams she was running. Running from a shadow. The shadow was just smoke to being with but it soon began taking form. At first it was just a black figure with no distinctive features. She was screaming but no sound came. She looked back and saw that the person was beginning to take shape. It was Regulus. He was covered in blood and shouting at her. "I'll get you, bitch!"

She kept running until she fell. She fell at a person's feet. She looked up but did not get to see the person as green light hit her.

"Oh!" She sat up quickly when she awoke. She looked to her right to find Regulus not in bed. "Reg?" She called out of the room. The door was wide open. She climbed out of bed, leaving the room. "Reg?" She spoke softly. Her eyes looked to the window. It was still dark. Their common room was tidy, none of his papers were there. She went into her own bedroom and found it empty. Her fire was burning brightly. This meant someone had been in her room recently. She walked further into her room and spotted a letter on her pillow. She sat in the middle of her bed with the letter in her hands. It was from Regulus. She quickly opened it and read it.

My dear May, I'm sorry. We were going to take the world. But I have found a way out. I cannot say what it is but it will involve my death. I am sorry. I love you with my heart. You gave me a reason to live. Now, do one thing for me: Live! Live like everyday is your last. Go to my brother and tell him that you love him. I know you do. You whispered his name in your sleep. I'm jealous. I wish it were my name. I want you to live a long and happy life with him. I know he will make you happy. I love you, my darling. I shall see you in many years time. I love you. All my love, Reg. X x x

May sat on her bed with tears streaming down her cheeks. She didn't bother to wipe them away. He was gone. He didn't even say goodbye properly. Just a stupid letter. She held the letter tight in her hand and sobbed.

Her last year seemed to be over too soon. Everyone had noticed that Regulus was missing but they said nothing about it. She never told anyone about his letter. Not even Hannah. The two best friends sat together and tried to make plans for the summer before they started their training or jobs. Hannah was going to work in Florish and Blott's for the summer before starting an apprenticeship with Ollivander. But the two girls were shocked when Dumbledore summoned them to his office before the end of year feast. It was them, two girls from Hufflepuff and three boys from Ravenclaw. He explained to them about a secret resistance against Voldemort: The Order of the Phoenix. He invited them to join it. They all accepted.

Neither of them mentioned it on the train as it was too risky. Their first meeting was in a week's time. They would find out the time and place on the day. "You'll write?" Hannah asked as they got ready to leave the train, which was arriving in London.

"You know I will." May laughed as she hugged her best friend and then shifted her back onto her shoulder. "We've got James and Lily's wedding to look forward to." The train came to a stop.

"Oh Merlin, yes!" She laughed as the two of them climbed out of the train. "Please tell me about your dress."

May laughed again. "No! You will have to wait and see." She looked around the platform and saw him standing there. "I've got to go." She spoke quickly to Hannah before running straight to Sirius. She ran straight into his arms. "He's gone." She sobbed against his shoulder. "I'm sorry. He's dead."

Sirius held her tightly and kissed her cheek. "It's okay." He whispered softly. "Come on. Let's go home." He took out his wand and shrunk her trunk, picking it up and putting it in his pocket. He wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the station.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Once they were back at the flat, May and Sirius sat on the sofa and talked. Something they hadn't properly done since last summer. "Tell me what happened." He spoke quietly, holding her hand. His other hand rested on top of her hand, stroking it gently.

"He started acting stranger than usual when I went back to school after Easter." She shifted so her feet were on the sofa. "One night, I found him missing. I found a letter on my pillow." She pulled the letter from her pocket and handed it to Sirius.

He let go of her hands and read the letter. "Oh Regulus." He sighed and pulled May into his side. She cried. He cried. "I will be with you. Not entirely for him but for us. I love you, May. I'm never letting you go." He tucked a finger under her chin and raised her head to face him. "I love you."

"I love you too." She smiled slightly and let him kiss her. She missed this. But her heart was aching for Regulus. Probably dead and no one knew where he was.

It took May and Sirius quite some time to get used to being a couple again. But their arguments began again when she told him that she knew about the Order of the Phoenix and that Dumbledore had invited her to join. "No way! Hell no!" He protested.

"No! Not in a million years." James joined in on the protest. He looked to Lily for support but she was staring at him with a raised eyebrow and folded arms. "Oh come on!"

"She's of age. She knows how to protect herself. It's her decision." Lily moved and stood next to May. Both women were adamant and the men knew they were fighting a losing battle.

May looked at Sirius. "Please. I want to do some good. I want to help win this war. I know I may be a girl and younger than you but it doesn't mean I can't fight."

James sighed heavily. "I had this same argument with Lily. I don't want to see you getting hurt. Both physically and emotionally."

She sighed heavily. "It's too late for that, James." She sat down on her brother's sofa. The four of them had come together to discuss May joining the Order and also the wedding, which was two weeks away. "Right, let's forget about that for a moment. Let's talk about this wedding. Everything is organised, except the hen party and stag party. We need to make sure that neither of them clash and they are not the night before the wedding."

James scoffed. "I'm leaving Sirius in charge. So help me?" He laughed and sat next to Lily, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to his side.

Lily laughed. "Good luck." She turned to May. "I think we should have mine next week."

"I hope so." May grinned. "I've already booked the place where your hen party is taking place." She grinned wickedly. "No, I'm not telling you at all. The only people who know are the people who have been invited." She laughed at the sight of Lily's face, she was terrified at what May had planned.

- - - - - - - - - – - - - - - – – - - - - - - - - - - - - - - – - - - - -

A/N: Nice and short chapter. Next chapter will be the hen and stag dos. Or bachelor and bachelorette parties. Whatever you want to call them. :D

Responses from Chapter 42:

Lizaluvsdoggies: She is a very silly girl. I needed her to "cheat" on Sirius for character building. There will be a big argument between Sirius and May about her brief cheating.

Lucy: I loved writing Regulus and May scenes. Might do a little side story about the two of them. Not too sure yet. :D

CharlotteBlackwood: You've got to have a bit of chaos in a story. So my chaos (which isn't the war) was a love triangle. :D Story is coming to the end soon. In about 10 – 15 chapters ish! :D Enjoy!