Chapter 7: The Betrayal

As the sun began to set while they drove away, a realization hit Addilyn. It was as though she were waking up from a dream… She suddenly knew what she had to do. "Hey Regulus, do you mind if I drive? You look tired, and I know a place where we can get some food for Bella. It looks like she is starving." Regulus nodded in agreement. Lily gave Addilyn a strange look which Regulus missed as he was pulling over the car. After switching places, Addilyn braced herself for what she was about to do.

Lily was wondering what Addilyn was doing, based on the solemn look in her eye she knew she wasn't just getting food. Lily realised that they had passed the approach to the Spicy Meatball, and were driving through town. What was Addilyn doing, and why was she heading towards the Auror Academy?

Regulus began looking apprehensive as Addilyn pulled into the parking lot. "What are we doing here? I thought we were getting food for Bella?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted you to think." Addilyn mumbled, then she whipped around and shot a spell at Regulus. "Petrificus Totalus!"

Lily's mouth was agape, and the look of pure shock and betrayal on Regulus's face was almost comical. "What was that for?!" Lily asked. "He was helping us!"

"We are Aurors, Lily! And he's a Death Eater! It's that simple. If we want to be good Aurors we can't make exceptions for anyone. Besides, there is no time to argue about this Bella is half starved to death! We have to do the right thing, and turn him in." Addilyn stormed out of the vehicle towards the building, levitating Regulus out behind her.

Lily and Bella were left alone in the vehicle. "If this is the right thing to do, then why does it feel so wrong?" Lily muttered under her breath. Then she helped Bella out of the car and towards the building.

The Next Day, At Auror Training

Mrs. Kneedander patted the girls backs in approval. "Regulus Black is a Death Eater we have been chasing for years, since he was seen at a Death Eater rally. I think this proves you are both ready to move on in your career. I will talk to the head of Aurors at the Ministry, then you can get advanced training…Bella can move on with you two as well, after she's feeling better. I assure you that she is getting good care at St. Mungo's." Lily began to think Addilyn had been right, maybe they shouldn't go around befriending Death Eaters; it makes it so much harder to turn them in. "This will mean you have to move closer to the ministry, I will give you a few days to think about this offer." Lily knew she would do whatever it took to be an Auror.

At lunch Lily and Addilyn discussed the great opportunity. "I can't believe we have made it this far Addilyn!" Lily said. "We must keep moving forward in our career. The wizarding world needs us." Lily thought how hard it would be to be so far away from James but he would clearly understand. The girls decided to go apartment hunting in London the following weekend. Things were finally going their way…

Late that night, Addilyn lay awake trying desperately not to think about Regulus Black, and the look of betrayal on his face when she had stunned him. It had broken her heart to turn him in, but the feelings that she was beginning to develop for him were dangerous. Addilyn knew that she had to do everything in her power to squash those feelings, and any feelings of regret. Regulus Black might be devastatingly handsome and witty, but the truth of the matter was that he was still a horrible person. She couldn't be with someone who justified Voldemort, no matter the reason. Also, she was an Auror, and she would not have her career ruined just because she thought Regulus was good-looking.

However, she still felt guilty about the way she had turned him in. Turning Regulus in when his guard was down, and when he was helping them was a very un-Gryffindor thing to do, but he was evil and Gryffindors always turn in the bad guys. Also, the kiss between them had been very real, and what Addilyn had felt was very real. Did that in itself make Addilyn a bad person? Either way, she was always, always going to put her values and her career before Regulus, or any other guy. Addilyn just wished she didn't have to choose between Regulus and doing the right thing.