The elusive RAB fic
It's done, kiddos. I finally sucked it up and finished it. I've only been promising it to half of you for over six months now. For the record, I am hyperventilating right now.
Title: Epiphany
Rating: R for language/death
Genre: Drama
Warnings: Character death
Summary: Regulus knows he messed up and has made mistakes; he decides to take revenge while he can.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.
A/N: Written for a challenge on Immeritus last August or September (the history of RAB) that I never submitted because I wasn’t happy with the result at the time. It’s been tweaked and poked a lot since then, but the overall story remained the same.
Concrit is...accepted.
Huge, huge thank yous to conspiratorsb and blackmoonruby for your wonderful thought-provoking and insightful suggestions and comments. It never would've been finished if it weren't for you two. Plus an extra huge Thank You to blackmoonruby for thinking of a title for me! Everything of mine would have incredibly daft titles if it weren't for her :D
Crossposted to black_family, regulus_centric, and Immeritus
~
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
As he ran through the streets of London, the wind tore at his pale face and long black hair. He reached the door of 12 Grimmauld Place, his ancient family home. He burst through the heavy door and crept through the unlit hallway, silently praying that no one else was home. As he reached the door to the drawing room, he stopped. It was open and he could hear someone inside. Shit, he thought. It was probably his mother, sitting on her favourite chair in front of the window with the long moss-green velvet curtains that had been tied back with a gold-coloured rope.
He still hadn’t moved, trying to figure out what to do, as his mother couldn’t know where he had just been; she would be so ashamed. I’ll just try to sneak past the door, he thought while struggling to catch his breath, knowing that it was probably useless: she was much too observant. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see her (Merlin, it might be the last time he saw her), it was that he wasn’t sure if he could lie to her; he’d never been able to.
Just past the door, he heard her say, “Regulus, is that you? Come in here, darling. I haven’t seen you all day; what have you been doing?”
Fuck! he thought. He pivoted on his shiny black shoe and walked into the drawing room. Sure enough, there was his mother, sitting in her chair, reading a black, leather-bound book. She had been quite attractive in her youth, and had taken care of herself in her older age. She wore a high-necked black dress, and had her greying hair pulled up into a bun. She had blood red ruby drop earrings dangling from her ears, and a cameo at the neck of her dress whose subject shifted subtly every once in awhile; it had been a gift from her father when she left Hogwarts with six NEWTs. He had purchased it while visiting India one summer and it had cost a fortune. The delicate spells involved in enchanting a cameo subject to move were much more intricate than for a painting; the same magic was used for sculptures and bas-reliefs. Some say it took Dark magic of the kind only found in the East to make it work.
“Regulus, darling. Come and sit by your mother and tell me where you have been all day.”
Regulus sat down in the chair opposite his mother, which had the same green and gold striped fabric covering it, but he didn’t speak.
After a few minutes of silence, his mother looked up from her book again. “What’s wrong with you?” She set her book down, and took his hand. “Why in the name of Merlin are you being so quiet?”
He knew he couldn’t put it off any longer; he’d just have to make something up. “I’m horribly tired, Mother,” Regulus spoke in his gravelly and deep voice. “I have been running all over the country today on a very special mission.” It wasn’t a complete lie.
“Why didn’t you just say so? I wouldn’t want to keep you awake if you’re that exhausted. It’s just, I don’t get to see you often anymore, ever since you joined the ranks of Lord Voldemort. Not that I’m complaining, because I do know how noble and important the work you are doing is,” she quickly added.
Regulus had joined the group of Lord Voldemort’s followers, called Death Eaters, shortly after leaving Hogwarts. While his family weren’t Death Eaters, his mother and father came from a long line of influential and important Wizards who were known to not be the friendliest of families. They didn’t openly support Lord Voldemort, but they didn’t weren’t openly against him either. Most families assumed the truth: that they were silent supporters. Except for Sirius, thought Regulus.
Sirius Black was his older brother, who had left home at sixteen. Regulus was crushed when Sirius left; he had idolised his older brother, even though he, Regulus, had always been his mother and father’s favourite. Sirius epitomised everything Regulus wished he could’ve been. Sirius was better looking, smarter, funnier, taller. Except Sirius had made it known from a very young age that he wanted no part of his family’s haughtiness.
Which is the only reason I was always the favourite. It’s also how I ended up falling in with the Death Eaters, thought Regulus.
“Yes, Mother, I am horribly tired. And tomorrow ought to be an important day for me as well.” Yes, a huge day. My death. “So I had best get to sleep.” Regulus stood up and bent over his mother to kiss her cheek.
“Well, goodnight my darling. Sleep well.” She gave his hand, which she was still holding, a squeeze before releasing it.
Regulus walked from the room, looking back at his mother one last time, knowing it would probably be the last time he saw her. He went up the stairs to his bedroom, passing Sirius’s old room on his way. Brother, how could you have been so right, and I so wrong? When he got to his room though, he didn’t go to sleep. He pulled off his rich black cloak and draped it across the chair sitting next to his door.
He sat down in the same chair and held his head in his hands. What have I done? he thought maniacally. Regulus couldn’t stop thinking of the events that had occurred over the past three months that had changed his life forever.
~
Regulus had gone to a Death Eater meeting at the Malfoys’ late one evening. He had arrived a little early, always eager to make a good impression on Lucius Malfoy, as it was well known that he was a favourite of the Dark Lord’s. Lucius had taken Regulus under his wing when Regulus had first joined the Death Eaters. He knew that the Black family was nearly as powerful as his own was and thought that Regulus would be a welcome addition. Unfortunately, Lucius soon grew weary of Regulus as he was not nearly as intelligent as he had hoped. While Regulus was an excellent Death Eater, in Lucius’s opinion, always willing to do whatever was bid of him, Lucius had had higher hopes for him.
This meeting was like all the others: a servant let Regulus in and he was shown into one of at least six drawing rooms that he had been in before in the Malfoys’ palatial house. This room was the most interesting, having a collection of mysterious articles in it. Which is probably why this is the room we usually use for meetings, Regulus mused, thinking that Lucius loved to show off his wealth.
He walked over to a shelf, which held a variety of objects. There was a tattered looking book, a crystal clear glass sphere, which Regulus knew better than to touch, two heavy pewter candlestick holders, and an unremarkable gold locket. This looks a little out of place. Picking up the locket delicately, he held it by its gold chain and twirled it between his fingers. It had an ornate S carved on the front. Slytherin. Regulus supposed that this was a rare artefact, an item from the time of Salazar Slytherin himself. He recalled that he had seen this S carved on a goblet before, in Lucius’ kitchen actually. The locket looked quite ancient, the gold dull from age.
Regulus didn’t put the locket down though. He was entranced by it. He needed to see what was inside. He carefully opened the clasp and saw that there was a photo inside. As he was bringing it to his eyes for a closer look, he was interrupted by Lucius entering the room. “Ah, yes. I see you’ve found my newest acquisition. It was just given to me today for safe keeping.”
“It’s, it’s…uh…very lovely,” stuttered Regulus, hoping that Lucius wouldn’t be cross at him for examining it. “It was Slytherin’s wasn’t it? I recognise the S carved into it,” he added, eager to prove himself.
“Very good, my boy. Indeed, it did belong to Slytherin’s family. In fact, it still does. I’m just holding it for the time being, so that nothing happens to it.” Lucius had walked over to Regulus and was staring at the locket. “It’s very beautiful isn’t it? Very…precious.” He took it from Regulus’s hand and placed it back on the shelf, in its unassuming position.
“I’m terribly sorry, sir, for having disturbed it,” Regulus immediately said to Lucius.
“No harm, no harm.” He paused, finally drawing his gaze from the locket, “Come, let’s get you some refreshment.”
~
That had been a little over three months ago. If Regulus had known then that that locket was more than just a locket, he would’ve…well, he wouldn’t have done anything probably. He was still in good with the Death Eaters then.
It was about six weeks after that night at Lucius’s that events went into a downward spiral. He had run into his brother Sirius one afternoon in London.
Regulus knew Sirius was around, not far away, but he couldn’t go looking for him. His mother would’ve been so very upset if she had found out that he was out looking for Sirius, so he never did. It was chance that brought them together. They had literally bumped into each other while turning a corner in Diagon Alley.
They just stared at one another for a few minutes, at a loss for words, as they hadn’t seen each other in a couple of years. Finally Regulus spoke knowing Sirius never would. “Sirius. How are you?”
“Fine, Baby Brother. Still hanging around with those Death Eaters?” Sirius sneered.
Regulus didn’t respond.
“And how are dear mummy and daddy? Still hating my guts I’m sure?” Sirius chuckled after that question.
“Well, Sirius, you did leave home. Mother and Father only ever wanted the best for both of us…” Regulus trailed off.
“The best! Ha! To them, the best was acting like everyone was below us! Like we Blacks were kings of the wizarding world! Oh, mind you, we wouldn’t deem to be kings of the likes of Muggles. Who would want to keep company with lesser beings, right, Baby Brother?” Sirius was flushed in the face. He became enraged anytime he thought about his mother and father and their superiority complex.
“Right. Well, nice seeing you Baby Brother. Tell mummy and daddy I send my love. No wait, you won’t even mention to them that you’ve seen me will you? Course not! Wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation by talking to the likes of me, would ya’?” Sirius clapped Regulus on his shoulder as he passed by.
Regulus wanted to call out to Sirius. To tell him that he was sorry. That he wanted them to be friends. That nothing that his mother or father said made any difference. But he knew he couldn’t. He had always done as his mother and father expected of him, including not speaking about his brother. Plus, if any Death Eaters got wind of him speaking to Sirius, he knew he’d be in trouble; it was no secret that Sirius wasn’t a supporter of the Dark Lord. It still surprised everyone from the important families though. They just couldn’t believe that a son of the Blacks would be a Muggle-lover. Most figured he’d come around eventually.
Seeing his brother had unsettled Regulus. He had forgotten what he was even doing in Diagon Alley. He wandered around aimlessly, thinking of nothing but his brother. The sign for Knockturn Alley brought him back to the present, remembering he was sent to retrieve a package in Borgin and Burkes.
As he walked in the door of the shop, it appeared no one was there. He looked around for a bit, but when Mr. Borgin still didn’t appear, which was highly unusual as he had a sensor attached to his door that signalled anytime someone entered, he grew concerned. Regulus drew his wand from his cloak and headed for the door to the storeroom. He silently made his way down aisle after aisle until he heard voices coming from the far corner.
“…I don’t think its safe at my house any longer. There are too many people coming and going. You need to store it here for a short time until the Dark Lord can bring it to the hiding place.”
“It is an honour that the Dark Lord would trust me with such an artefact. You may tell him he can be assured that I will keep it most safe until he sends someone to retrieve it.”
“Indeed. He knew that he could trust you. I will be coming to retrieve it myself when the time is right. He is still assembling the other artefacts. There are seven in total, as you know. He is having some difficulty obtaining a couple of the items, but as we have several people assisting him, I am sure it will not be long before it is all ready.”
“Very well. Should he need additional assistance…”
“The Dark Lord appreciates the offer, however it would be unwise to store more than one of these in the same location. I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course, of course.”
Regulus quickly snuck back out to the front of the store and stood at the counter awaiting the men, whose voices he recognized as Mr. Borgin’s and Lucius Malfoy’s, to come back out front. He knew that they were discussing the locket he had seen at Lucius’s house. But why was it so important? Because it was Slytherin’s? It hardly seemed likely that it would warrant that much protection. Obviously the Dark Lord thought it that important though. After several minutes Mr. Borgin emerged, alone. “Ah! Young Mr. Black! Come for the item then?”
~
It was only a couple weeks after he was in Mr. Borgin’s shop that he found out the truth about the locket. He was at a secret meeting place for the Death Eaters. This was an important meeting; all of the higher-ups were rumoured to be there.
He caught sight of a terrifying looking woman he almost never saw: Bellatrix Lestrange. She was closely in with the Dark Lord, as was her husband, Rodolphus. She also happened to be Regulus’ cousin. He moved in a little closer so he could pay his respects to her. In doing so, he overheard her conversation with Rodolphus and two other Death Eaters.
“Yes, his soul. Its being divided into seven pieces, so that should something ever happen to him, he can be brought back to life!” she squealed.
“But how does it work?” one of the others asked.
“I’m not entirely sure, but it gets placed into objects called Horcruxes. I only know what one of them is, and that one is a ring that belonged to Slytherin himself. He is finding hiding places for all seven objects as we speak!”
“How do you know all of this, Bellatrix?” another asked.
“Because the Dark Lord trusts me with this information, of course!” she haughtily replied. “In fact, I was appointed to assist him in finding the objects he sought! He told me one is being hidden in a cave that he used to visit as a child. Of course, no one but him will know exactly where they are hidden or how to retrieve them. But he has needed help retrieving the objects to be used as Horcruxes, and help keeping them safe until he can hide them himself.”
Regulus moved away: he knew he shouldn’t be hearing this; he wasn’t an important enough Death Eater to know this kind of information. Bellatrix was a known braggart though. Some wondered why the Dark Lord trusted her so.
“Bellatrix! You had best keep that mouth of yours shut before you say something you will regret!” Regulus heard Lucius Malfoy snap at her. Apparently Regulus wasn’t the only one who overheard what was said.
~
A week later, Regulus had been tasked to accompany some higher-ups, including Bellatrix, on a raid of a wizarding family’s house. No one knew why this family had been targeted. You didn’t question it. If the Dark Lord wanted someone killed, you just did it.
The group approached the house and Bellatrix cast a silencing charm over the house and its occupants. As much as she enjoyed hearing people screaming for their lives right before she killed them, she was smart enough to know that waking up the neighbourhood wasn’t a good idea. They all snuck inside; Regulus was told to go up the stairs to the second door on the right. He would find his targets there. He did as he was told, but upon entering the room found two very young boys sleeping soundly in their beds. They couldn’t have been more than four and five.
Regulus raised his wand ready to administer the Death curse, when he stopped. Why was he going to kill these two young boys? What had they ever done? It seemed to Regulus that this was a waste. But, he was told to do it, so he must. He raised his wand once again. But he couldn’t do it. Shit. Why have I turned soft? He knew it was because of seeing his brother. It had brought up too many old memories. These two little black haired boys reminded him of his childhood with Sirius.
I can’t do this. Regulus felt unsure of himself. He had never felt comfortable killing people just because he was told to, but he did it because he had to. But did he have to? A million thoughts were running through his mind at once and he was having difficulty making sense of them. Who could want these people killed? What could they possibly have done to the Dark Lord to warrant the deaths of the entire family? Especially these little boys. They couldn’t have done anything wrong. What were the options though? If Regulus didn’t kill them, he would be killed.
Before he could consider it any longer though, Bellatrix burst into the room, the look of triumph after having just killed smeared on her face. She hissed, “Why haven’t you done it yet? What is the matter with you?”
Regulus couldn’t say anything. What would his excuse be? ‘They looked so sweet sleeping there, I just couldn’t kill them.’ Right. That would go over real well.
“Get out of the way Regulus! I’ll do it myself! And believe me, the Dark Lord will hear about your disobedience tonight,” she shrieked at him raising her wand. As her lips parted to give the curse, Regulus shouted “No!” and barrelled into her, knocking her against the wall. He stole a glance at the boys were sitting up in bed now wide awake, their mouths open as if they were screaming, but no sound coming out.
Bellatrix was on her feet instantly, screaming at him, asking if he was mad. Regulus didn’t think twice. He ran from the room, down the stairs, and out the front door. He disapparated back to London, knowing that he was a dead man as soon as he could be found. Even if the Dark Lord didn’t think his offence grave enough for killing, Bellatrix would do it herself. She hated being disobeyed, and she surely wouldn’t have enjoyed getting knocked to the ground.
Regulus sat down on the pavement to think, the image of the young boys flashing through his head, knowing Bellatrix would’ve already killed them. Where would he go? Maybe he could find his brother: tell him that he had been wrong about the Dark Lord, that Regulus needed out. He couldn’t continue with this senseless killing any longer. But would Sirius risk everything just to protect a brother he hadn’t seen in years? Yes. Because he is a good person. Regulus knew that Sirius would.
~
After two days of whole-hearted searching, Regulus had been unable to find Sirius. He had gone into a Muggle pub to get a drink, which is where he first thought of his plan. Regulus had thought back to what Bellatrix had said about the Dark Lord’s soul being put into objects. He was certain that the locket was one of those objects. He also had a feeling that the locket was in the cave that Bellatrix mentioned.
He knew he would be caught eventually, and killed. Why not do something meaningful before then? He would find the locket and destroy it. Regulus Alphard Black was going to do something on his own volition for the first time in his life. No one would tell him what to do.
Ironically, he realised that 12 Grimmauld Place would be the safest place for him to stay. No one would think he would’ve been idiotic enough to return home after the night he fought with Bellatrix, so they wouldn’t bother looking for him there. While in his bedroom, he began formulating his plan. He knew that the cave must be near the village where the Dark Lord grew up. He slept well that night, having decided what to do.
In the morning, before anyone else had risen, as he had been doing since the night he shoved Bellatrix, he left 12 Grimmauld Place. He went to Diagon Alley to the jewellery shop, Madame Bijou’s. He had originally considered going to a Muggle jewellery shop, thinking it would leave fewer traces, but realised he had no Muggle money, and hadn’t a clue how to get any, so decided on Madame Bijou’s.
“Hello, I’d like to purchase a gold locket,” he calmly said to the young woman behind the counter.
“Yes sir, let me show you what we have,” she replied, fluttering her eyelashes a bit too much. Attractiveness was a curse of the Black family. While Sirius was better looking than Regulus, it wasn’t as if Regulus was lacking in the looks department. Women fell head over heels when they met him. This young lady was obviously no exception.
She led him to a case containing a wide variety of gold chains and pendants. There was an oval shaped locket, which was nearly identical in size to the Slytherin locket. “I’d like that one please, and, er, a fine gold chain as well,” he said to the girl while pointing to the case.
“A fine choice, sir. Is this a gift for someone special?” she inquired, hoping that it was for his mother.
“Yes. Yes, you could say that. Its for someone extremely special,” he replied thinking to himself, Oh, if only you knew who this was intended for, dear.
Her face dropped instantly, clearly disappointed that this incredibly handsome man was obviously spoken for already. She wrapped it up for him and he paid her, slipped the package into his inner cloak pocket and left to return home until that night when he would go searching for the cave.
At midnight, he crept out of the house, and apparated to the cliffs surrounding the village. He looked all over the area for a cave, but was unable to find one. As dawn broke Regulus returned home and thought. Could it be somewhere else? No, I’m sure that is where it must be. The Dark Lord grew up in an orphanage; his access to places was limited. He determined to go back each night, until he found it.
It was on his third night there that he discovered it. He searched around the cave and knew that he must be missing something. It couldn’t be this easy.
Waving his wand around almost haphazardly, an arched entrance lit up on one of the walls. But how to enter? He sat on the stone floor facing the entryway and tried to concentrate. A password, perhaps. Grateful for the education he had received from a tutor when he was young, and from his short stint at Hogwarts, he racked his brain for incantations, anything from a simple word, to complex unlocking charms, standing up and waving his wand towards the entrance with each new one he came up with. But none of them were working.
Maybe he needed an object. He tried touching his wand directly to the entryway, trying at least a dozen charms, moving his wand all over the door. Regulus pressed his palms flat against it, muttering further incantations, thinking perhaps the touch of flesh would work, or perhaps foolishly, that he could actually push the doorway open.
Flesh. Blood. The Dark Lord loved bloodshed. Regulus cut his finger with a spell from his wand and rubbed it on the doorway, which vanished and opened into blackness. Of course: he should’ve thought of blood sooner.
He came to a lake and walked around the edge on the bank. A green mist was in the centre of the lake, very out of place. That’s where the locket is. But how to get to it? Again, Regulus sat, staring out into the lake this time instead of at a lit entryway. He realised he must’ve been in the cave now for a couple of hours, but determination stood firm. Regulus didn’t want to consider the possibility of swimming across the lake. He was certain this was no ordinary lake and didn’t want to find out what was lurking beneath its dark surface.
Trying the simplest idea first: he tried Apparating into the mist, hoping it wouldn’t cause him to splinch himself. His body stayed thankfully in one piece, but unfortunately remained on the bank. He hadn’t a broom to fly to it, but figure that would probably be too obvious as well.
A boat would likewise be obvious, but how did he expect to get a boat in here? He couldn’t Apparate one back with him. Maybe there was one hidden here. He felt around on the ground and then in the air, when his hand hit something: a chain. He tapped it with his wand and immediately the chain started to pull something from the depths of the water. A battered wooden boat.
Regulus got in the boat and crossed towards the mist; looking over the edge into the dark water, he saw something below the surface. Inferi. He reached a small island in the middle of the lake, which had been concealed by the mist; the boat had taken him there on its own.
Slowly stepping out of his vessel, he planted a foot on the firm ground. In the centre of the island he saw a basin. The locket must be in there. After taking a couple of strides, he crouched down and looked into the stone bowl. What is this liquid in here? I’ve never seen anything like it before.
He reached his pale hand toward the bowl, but his hand stopped suddenly, as if there were an invisible lid covering the basin. If I can’t touch the liquid with my hands, how am I supposed to empty it? It couldn’t be….no. But, there can’t be another solution. Regulus made a silver goblet with an elaborately engraved B on it appear. Reaching toward the basin once again, he was able to dip the goblet into the liquid. I was right; I’m going to have to drink this.
Regulus lifted the goblet to his mouth, hesitating before letting it touch his lips. No. I’m not going to drink this. I’m going to come back with Kreacher and make him drink it. He dumped the liquid back into the basin, disappeared the goblet, and head back for home.
The next night, Regulus recruited the assistance of their house elf, “Kreacher, I need you to come with me tonight somewhere.”
“Kreacher does what master commands,” the house elf replied.
With Kreacher grudgingly in tow, Regulus made his way once again to the cave. Getting through it and to the island was much quicker tonight, as he already knew what to do. When he and Kreacher reached the island, they disembarked.
Regulus stared at the basin. He waved his wand and the same goblet from the previous night appeard. “Kreacher, I need you to dip this goblet into the liquid and drink it.”
“Kreacher doesn’t think Master’s idea is a good idea, but Kreacher will obey,” Kreacher grouchily said taking the goblet from Regulus’s hand.
The house elf’s hand stopped before it got to the liquid in the basin though, just as Regulus’s had done the night before without the goblet in hand. “Well, go on then,” Regulus impatiently said.
“Kreacher can’t move his hand any further, Master.”
Damn, that’s what I was afraid of. It will only allow a wizard to do it. “Alright Kreacher. Listen very carefully. I am going to drink this liquid. I want you to make sure I drink it all and get me back in that boat afterward. Do you understand?”
Regulus didn’t like the idea of relying on Kreacher to help him, but he figured if he died here, it was just beating the Dark Lord to the punch. Plus he knew Kreacher was obligated to follow a direct command from him.
“Yes, sir. Kreacher will do as Master says.”
Regulus lowered his hand to the basin and dipped the goblet in. He began drinking and filled the goblet again. Several minutes and goblets-full passed; he lost count of how many times he dipped, filled it up and drank. He was starting to grow weary though. “Kreacher, I think I may start needing some help.”
Kreacher took his hand and helped him dip the goblet once again and drink. Regulus had started shouting that he didn’t want to drink anymore, but never told Kreacher to stop making him, so Kreacher continued with the original order, muttering under his breath about how crazy Regulus truly was.
Finally, the basin was empty. Regulus didn’t know this though, still screaming at Kreacher. “Kreacher, water! I need water.” His throat was on fire; his insides felt like they were twisting around themselves. Kreacher took the goblet and dunked it in the lake and made Regulus drink the water.
The Inferi had come out of the lake toward the island. The water that had been poured down Regulus’s throat made his breath hitch, the burning feeling gone. He shot up and cast flames around them, causing the Inferi to fall back.
Regulus glanced into the bottom of the basin and saw the locket in there. I knew it! he thought joyously, feeling for the first time in his life a sense of actual accomplishment. He scooped up the locket and put it in his pocket. From his inner pocket, he removed the package he had bought at the jewellery store a few days before.
The only difference with this locket was that he had put a note inside of it in place of a picture. When he had returned home from Madame Bijou’s that day, he had scribbled a note reading:
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
It was true: he knew that he was doomed to die for what he had done. He had disobeyed a direct order, had fought with Bellatrix and he had managed to collect bits of information to steal the locket, the Horcrux. Furthermore, he was going to destroy it as soon as he left this place. Regulus did hope that the Dark Lord would meet his match one day too. Ever since that fateful night, he knew that he had been wrong in following the Dark Lord. He knew that only pure evil would harm children like those he had seen. He hoped that they had been spared after he burst from their house, but he wasn’t naïve enough to truly believe that. He knew that Bellatrix would get the job done, probably even crueler than normal in her rage at Regulus. By destroying this Horcrux, Regulus hoped eventually, at least, he could save someone else’s life.
Regulus placed the new locket he purchased, with his note inside, into the basin, which instantly filled back up with the mysterious liquid. He and Kreacher got into the boat, crossed the lake and left the cave.
He sent Kreacher home and decided to walk around London for a while, knowing he wouldn’t have much time left to do so, amazed that he had survived this long. Foolishly, he decided to go to Diagon Alley as well. Stepping into the Leaky Cauldron, he took a quick glance around to see if he recognized anyone there. Ordering himself a firewhiskey, he took a seat at a table in the far corner.
Lost in his thoughts, he glanced toward the bar and saw someone he knew to be a Death Eater. Shit. Regulus slowly stood up and made his way to the door. As he stepped out onto the streets of London once again, he knew he had been spotted. Not wanting to risk anything, he ran all the way home.
~
And now, here I am. Waiting. He realised he had probably been home for a couple of hours and that his mother must be in bed by now. Picking up his cloak, Regulus crept back out of his bedroom, down the stairs, and back into the drawing room he had been sitting in with his mother earlier.
Opening up a cabinet that had an assortment of Black family heirlooms, he pulled the gold locket out of the inside pocket of his cloak and placed it on the back of a shelf in the cabinet. I’ll just keep it here until I can figure out what else to do with it. Regulus honestly didn’t even know if it would be possible to destroy the locket. More than likely there would be an assortment of Dark spells on it to make it indestructible.
He heard someone downstairs. Knowing that it was unlikely to be his mother, who would never be awake at this hour, nor Kreacher who was silent as a mouse, he had only one guess as to who it would be.
Tying back his long black hair, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He opened the door and sitting there was Lucius Malfoy.
“Lucius. I didn’t think I would be important enough to warrant a visit by you.”
“Ah, young Regulus. You underestimate the Dark Lord. He knew you would’ve been a powerful ally. He wanted to make sure the job was done, and wouldn’t trust someone lesser to carry it out. Of course, I have people waiting outside to do it for me,” Lucius calmly replied.
“In that case, I’m surprised to not see Bellatrix here, as it was her specifically I crossed.”
“Yes, well, she pleaded with the Dark Lord to let her come and kill you, but he was afraid that she would be careless in her haste,” Lucius smiled. “I am wondering though, what made you behave the way you did that night?”
Regulus thought about this. Should I make something up? Why bother? I’m a dead man either way. “I ran into my brother, Sirius, a few weeks ago and, well, I began to question what I was doing, why I was doing it,” he stated simply.
Lucius didn’t say anything immediately, though his eye twitched faintly. Slowly, he rose out of his chair, his cloak billowing out behind him, and started walking towards Regulus. “Fair enough. Follow me outside?”
Regulus quietly followed Lucius out the front door of 12 Grimmauld Place. Waiting for him were two Death Eaters. One of them, a male, said to him, “Ready to die, traitor?”
He faced them and spread his arms wide open, waiting for the curse. I only wish I had had time to destroy that locket. No matter, at least it will never be in possession of the Dark Lord.
As Lucius stepped back, the two Death Eaters moved in towards Regulus, lifted their wands, and screamed, “Avada Kedavra,” as green sparks shot out of their wands hitting Regulus squarely in his chest.
The wind whipped pieces of Regulus’s black hair free from its ponytail as he fell backwards towards the pavement, thinking only one thought: Sirius, please forgive me for all I have done.
Fin.
Title: Epiphany
Rating: R for language/death
Genre: Drama
Warnings: Character death
Summary: Regulus knows he messed up and has made mistakes; he decides to take revenge while he can.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.
A/N: Written for a challenge on Immeritus last August or September (the history of RAB) that I never submitted because I wasn’t happy with the result at the time. It’s been tweaked and poked a lot since then, but the overall story remained the same.
Concrit is...accepted.
Huge, huge thank yous to conspiratorsb and blackmoonruby for your wonderful thought-provoking and insightful suggestions and comments. It never would've been finished if it weren't for you two. Plus an extra huge Thank You to blackmoonruby for thinking of a title for me! Everything of mine would have incredibly daft titles if it weren't for her :D
Crossposted to black_family, regulus_centric, and Immeritus
~
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
As he ran through the streets of London, the wind tore at his pale face and long black hair. He reached the door of 12 Grimmauld Place, his ancient family home. He burst through the heavy door and crept through the unlit hallway, silently praying that no one else was home. As he reached the door to the drawing room, he stopped. It was open and he could hear someone inside. Shit, he thought. It was probably his mother, sitting on her favourite chair in front of the window with the long moss-green velvet curtains that had been tied back with a gold-coloured rope.
He still hadn’t moved, trying to figure out what to do, as his mother couldn’t know where he had just been; she would be so ashamed. I’ll just try to sneak past the door, he thought while struggling to catch his breath, knowing that it was probably useless: she was much too observant. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to see her (Merlin, it might be the last time he saw her), it was that he wasn’t sure if he could lie to her; he’d never been able to.
Just past the door, he heard her say, “Regulus, is that you? Come in here, darling. I haven’t seen you all day; what have you been doing?”
Fuck! he thought. He pivoted on his shiny black shoe and walked into the drawing room. Sure enough, there was his mother, sitting in her chair, reading a black, leather-bound book. She had been quite attractive in her youth, and had taken care of herself in her older age. She wore a high-necked black dress, and had her greying hair pulled up into a bun. She had blood red ruby drop earrings dangling from her ears, and a cameo at the neck of her dress whose subject shifted subtly every once in awhile; it had been a gift from her father when she left Hogwarts with six NEWTs. He had purchased it while visiting India one summer and it had cost a fortune. The delicate spells involved in enchanting a cameo subject to move were much more intricate than for a painting; the same magic was used for sculptures and bas-reliefs. Some say it took Dark magic of the kind only found in the East to make it work.
“Regulus, darling. Come and sit by your mother and tell me where you have been all day.”
Regulus sat down in the chair opposite his mother, which had the same green and gold striped fabric covering it, but he didn’t speak.
After a few minutes of silence, his mother looked up from her book again. “What’s wrong with you?” She set her book down, and took his hand. “Why in the name of Merlin are you being so quiet?”
He knew he couldn’t put it off any longer; he’d just have to make something up. “I’m horribly tired, Mother,” Regulus spoke in his gravelly and deep voice. “I have been running all over the country today on a very special mission.” It wasn’t a complete lie.
“Why didn’t you just say so? I wouldn’t want to keep you awake if you’re that exhausted. It’s just, I don’t get to see you often anymore, ever since you joined the ranks of Lord Voldemort. Not that I’m complaining, because I do know how noble and important the work you are doing is,” she quickly added.
Regulus had joined the group of Lord Voldemort’s followers, called Death Eaters, shortly after leaving Hogwarts. While his family weren’t Death Eaters, his mother and father came from a long line of influential and important Wizards who were known to not be the friendliest of families. They didn’t openly support Lord Voldemort, but they didn’t weren’t openly against him either. Most families assumed the truth: that they were silent supporters. Except for Sirius, thought Regulus.
Sirius Black was his older brother, who had left home at sixteen. Regulus was crushed when Sirius left; he had idolised his older brother, even though he, Regulus, had always been his mother and father’s favourite. Sirius epitomised everything Regulus wished he could’ve been. Sirius was better looking, smarter, funnier, taller. Except Sirius had made it known from a very young age that he wanted no part of his family’s haughtiness.
Which is the only reason I was always the favourite. It’s also how I ended up falling in with the Death Eaters, thought Regulus.
“Yes, Mother, I am horribly tired. And tomorrow ought to be an important day for me as well.” Yes, a huge day. My death. “So I had best get to sleep.” Regulus stood up and bent over his mother to kiss her cheek.
“Well, goodnight my darling. Sleep well.” She gave his hand, which she was still holding, a squeeze before releasing it.
Regulus walked from the room, looking back at his mother one last time, knowing it would probably be the last time he saw her. He went up the stairs to his bedroom, passing Sirius’s old room on his way. Brother, how could you have been so right, and I so wrong? When he got to his room though, he didn’t go to sleep. He pulled off his rich black cloak and draped it across the chair sitting next to his door.
He sat down in the same chair and held his head in his hands. What have I done? he thought maniacally. Regulus couldn’t stop thinking of the events that had occurred over the past three months that had changed his life forever.
~
Regulus had gone to a Death Eater meeting at the Malfoys’ late one evening. He had arrived a little early, always eager to make a good impression on Lucius Malfoy, as it was well known that he was a favourite of the Dark Lord’s. Lucius had taken Regulus under his wing when Regulus had first joined the Death Eaters. He knew that the Black family was nearly as powerful as his own was and thought that Regulus would be a welcome addition. Unfortunately, Lucius soon grew weary of Regulus as he was not nearly as intelligent as he had hoped. While Regulus was an excellent Death Eater, in Lucius’s opinion, always willing to do whatever was bid of him, Lucius had had higher hopes for him.
This meeting was like all the others: a servant let Regulus in and he was shown into one of at least six drawing rooms that he had been in before in the Malfoys’ palatial house. This room was the most interesting, having a collection of mysterious articles in it. Which is probably why this is the room we usually use for meetings, Regulus mused, thinking that Lucius loved to show off his wealth.
He walked over to a shelf, which held a variety of objects. There was a tattered looking book, a crystal clear glass sphere, which Regulus knew better than to touch, two heavy pewter candlestick holders, and an unremarkable gold locket. This looks a little out of place. Picking up the locket delicately, he held it by its gold chain and twirled it between his fingers. It had an ornate S carved on the front. Slytherin. Regulus supposed that this was a rare artefact, an item from the time of Salazar Slytherin himself. He recalled that he had seen this S carved on a goblet before, in Lucius’ kitchen actually. The locket looked quite ancient, the gold dull from age.
Regulus didn’t put the locket down though. He was entranced by it. He needed to see what was inside. He carefully opened the clasp and saw that there was a photo inside. As he was bringing it to his eyes for a closer look, he was interrupted by Lucius entering the room. “Ah, yes. I see you’ve found my newest acquisition. It was just given to me today for safe keeping.”
“It’s, it’s…uh…very lovely,” stuttered Regulus, hoping that Lucius wouldn’t be cross at him for examining it. “It was Slytherin’s wasn’t it? I recognise the S carved into it,” he added, eager to prove himself.
“Very good, my boy. Indeed, it did belong to Slytherin’s family. In fact, it still does. I’m just holding it for the time being, so that nothing happens to it.” Lucius had walked over to Regulus and was staring at the locket. “It’s very beautiful isn’t it? Very…precious.” He took it from Regulus’s hand and placed it back on the shelf, in its unassuming position.
“I’m terribly sorry, sir, for having disturbed it,” Regulus immediately said to Lucius.
“No harm, no harm.” He paused, finally drawing his gaze from the locket, “Come, let’s get you some refreshment.”
~
That had been a little over three months ago. If Regulus had known then that that locket was more than just a locket, he would’ve…well, he wouldn’t have done anything probably. He was still in good with the Death Eaters then.
It was about six weeks after that night at Lucius’s that events went into a downward spiral. He had run into his brother Sirius one afternoon in London.
Regulus knew Sirius was around, not far away, but he couldn’t go looking for him. His mother would’ve been so very upset if she had found out that he was out looking for Sirius, so he never did. It was chance that brought them together. They had literally bumped into each other while turning a corner in Diagon Alley.
They just stared at one another for a few minutes, at a loss for words, as they hadn’t seen each other in a couple of years. Finally Regulus spoke knowing Sirius never would. “Sirius. How are you?”
“Fine, Baby Brother. Still hanging around with those Death Eaters?” Sirius sneered.
Regulus didn’t respond.
“And how are dear mummy and daddy? Still hating my guts I’m sure?” Sirius chuckled after that question.
“Well, Sirius, you did leave home. Mother and Father only ever wanted the best for both of us…” Regulus trailed off.
“The best! Ha! To them, the best was acting like everyone was below us! Like we Blacks were kings of the wizarding world! Oh, mind you, we wouldn’t deem to be kings of the likes of Muggles. Who would want to keep company with lesser beings, right, Baby Brother?” Sirius was flushed in the face. He became enraged anytime he thought about his mother and father and their superiority complex.
“Right. Well, nice seeing you Baby Brother. Tell mummy and daddy I send my love. No wait, you won’t even mention to them that you’ve seen me will you? Course not! Wouldn’t want to tarnish your reputation by talking to the likes of me, would ya’?” Sirius clapped Regulus on his shoulder as he passed by.
Regulus wanted to call out to Sirius. To tell him that he was sorry. That he wanted them to be friends. That nothing that his mother or father said made any difference. But he knew he couldn’t. He had always done as his mother and father expected of him, including not speaking about his brother. Plus, if any Death Eaters got wind of him speaking to Sirius, he knew he’d be in trouble; it was no secret that Sirius wasn’t a supporter of the Dark Lord. It still surprised everyone from the important families though. They just couldn’t believe that a son of the Blacks would be a Muggle-lover. Most figured he’d come around eventually.
Seeing his brother had unsettled Regulus. He had forgotten what he was even doing in Diagon Alley. He wandered around aimlessly, thinking of nothing but his brother. The sign for Knockturn Alley brought him back to the present, remembering he was sent to retrieve a package in Borgin and Burkes.
As he walked in the door of the shop, it appeared no one was there. He looked around for a bit, but when Mr. Borgin still didn’t appear, which was highly unusual as he had a sensor attached to his door that signalled anytime someone entered, he grew concerned. Regulus drew his wand from his cloak and headed for the door to the storeroom. He silently made his way down aisle after aisle until he heard voices coming from the far corner.
“…I don’t think its safe at my house any longer. There are too many people coming and going. You need to store it here for a short time until the Dark Lord can bring it to the hiding place.”
“It is an honour that the Dark Lord would trust me with such an artefact. You may tell him he can be assured that I will keep it most safe until he sends someone to retrieve it.”
“Indeed. He knew that he could trust you. I will be coming to retrieve it myself when the time is right. He is still assembling the other artefacts. There are seven in total, as you know. He is having some difficulty obtaining a couple of the items, but as we have several people assisting him, I am sure it will not be long before it is all ready.”
“Very well. Should he need additional assistance…”
“The Dark Lord appreciates the offer, however it would be unwise to store more than one of these in the same location. I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course, of course.”
Regulus quickly snuck back out to the front of the store and stood at the counter awaiting the men, whose voices he recognized as Mr. Borgin’s and Lucius Malfoy’s, to come back out front. He knew that they were discussing the locket he had seen at Lucius’s house. But why was it so important? Because it was Slytherin’s? It hardly seemed likely that it would warrant that much protection. Obviously the Dark Lord thought it that important though. After several minutes Mr. Borgin emerged, alone. “Ah! Young Mr. Black! Come for the item then?”
~
It was only a couple weeks after he was in Mr. Borgin’s shop that he found out the truth about the locket. He was at a secret meeting place for the Death Eaters. This was an important meeting; all of the higher-ups were rumoured to be there.
He caught sight of a terrifying looking woman he almost never saw: Bellatrix Lestrange. She was closely in with the Dark Lord, as was her husband, Rodolphus. She also happened to be Regulus’ cousin. He moved in a little closer so he could pay his respects to her. In doing so, he overheard her conversation with Rodolphus and two other Death Eaters.
“Yes, his soul. Its being divided into seven pieces, so that should something ever happen to him, he can be brought back to life!” she squealed.
“But how does it work?” one of the others asked.
“I’m not entirely sure, but it gets placed into objects called Horcruxes. I only know what one of them is, and that one is a ring that belonged to Slytherin himself. He is finding hiding places for all seven objects as we speak!”
“How do you know all of this, Bellatrix?” another asked.
“Because the Dark Lord trusts me with this information, of course!” she haughtily replied. “In fact, I was appointed to assist him in finding the objects he sought! He told me one is being hidden in a cave that he used to visit as a child. Of course, no one but him will know exactly where they are hidden or how to retrieve them. But he has needed help retrieving the objects to be used as Horcruxes, and help keeping them safe until he can hide them himself.”
Regulus moved away: he knew he shouldn’t be hearing this; he wasn’t an important enough Death Eater to know this kind of information. Bellatrix was a known braggart though. Some wondered why the Dark Lord trusted her so.
“Bellatrix! You had best keep that mouth of yours shut before you say something you will regret!” Regulus heard Lucius Malfoy snap at her. Apparently Regulus wasn’t the only one who overheard what was said.
~
A week later, Regulus had been tasked to accompany some higher-ups, including Bellatrix, on a raid of a wizarding family’s house. No one knew why this family had been targeted. You didn’t question it. If the Dark Lord wanted someone killed, you just did it.
The group approached the house and Bellatrix cast a silencing charm over the house and its occupants. As much as she enjoyed hearing people screaming for their lives right before she killed them, she was smart enough to know that waking up the neighbourhood wasn’t a good idea. They all snuck inside; Regulus was told to go up the stairs to the second door on the right. He would find his targets there. He did as he was told, but upon entering the room found two very young boys sleeping soundly in their beds. They couldn’t have been more than four and five.
Regulus raised his wand ready to administer the Death curse, when he stopped. Why was he going to kill these two young boys? What had they ever done? It seemed to Regulus that this was a waste. But, he was told to do it, so he must. He raised his wand once again. But he couldn’t do it. Shit. Why have I turned soft? He knew it was because of seeing his brother. It had brought up too many old memories. These two little black haired boys reminded him of his childhood with Sirius.
I can’t do this. Regulus felt unsure of himself. He had never felt comfortable killing people just because he was told to, but he did it because he had to. But did he have to? A million thoughts were running through his mind at once and he was having difficulty making sense of them. Who could want these people killed? What could they possibly have done to the Dark Lord to warrant the deaths of the entire family? Especially these little boys. They couldn’t have done anything wrong. What were the options though? If Regulus didn’t kill them, he would be killed.
Before he could consider it any longer though, Bellatrix burst into the room, the look of triumph after having just killed smeared on her face. She hissed, “Why haven’t you done it yet? What is the matter with you?”
Regulus couldn’t say anything. What would his excuse be? ‘They looked so sweet sleeping there, I just couldn’t kill them.’ Right. That would go over real well.
“Get out of the way Regulus! I’ll do it myself! And believe me, the Dark Lord will hear about your disobedience tonight,” she shrieked at him raising her wand. As her lips parted to give the curse, Regulus shouted “No!” and barrelled into her, knocking her against the wall. He stole a glance at the boys were sitting up in bed now wide awake, their mouths open as if they were screaming, but no sound coming out.
Bellatrix was on her feet instantly, screaming at him, asking if he was mad. Regulus didn’t think twice. He ran from the room, down the stairs, and out the front door. He disapparated back to London, knowing that he was a dead man as soon as he could be found. Even if the Dark Lord didn’t think his offence grave enough for killing, Bellatrix would do it herself. She hated being disobeyed, and she surely wouldn’t have enjoyed getting knocked to the ground.
Regulus sat down on the pavement to think, the image of the young boys flashing through his head, knowing Bellatrix would’ve already killed them. Where would he go? Maybe he could find his brother: tell him that he had been wrong about the Dark Lord, that Regulus needed out. He couldn’t continue with this senseless killing any longer. But would Sirius risk everything just to protect a brother he hadn’t seen in years? Yes. Because he is a good person. Regulus knew that Sirius would.
~
After two days of whole-hearted searching, Regulus had been unable to find Sirius. He had gone into a Muggle pub to get a drink, which is where he first thought of his plan. Regulus had thought back to what Bellatrix had said about the Dark Lord’s soul being put into objects. He was certain that the locket was one of those objects. He also had a feeling that the locket was in the cave that Bellatrix mentioned.
He knew he would be caught eventually, and killed. Why not do something meaningful before then? He would find the locket and destroy it. Regulus Alphard Black was going to do something on his own volition for the first time in his life. No one would tell him what to do.
Ironically, he realised that 12 Grimmauld Place would be the safest place for him to stay. No one would think he would’ve been idiotic enough to return home after the night he fought with Bellatrix, so they wouldn’t bother looking for him there. While in his bedroom, he began formulating his plan. He knew that the cave must be near the village where the Dark Lord grew up. He slept well that night, having decided what to do.
In the morning, before anyone else had risen, as he had been doing since the night he shoved Bellatrix, he left 12 Grimmauld Place. He went to Diagon Alley to the jewellery shop, Madame Bijou’s. He had originally considered going to a Muggle jewellery shop, thinking it would leave fewer traces, but realised he had no Muggle money, and hadn’t a clue how to get any, so decided on Madame Bijou’s.
“Hello, I’d like to purchase a gold locket,” he calmly said to the young woman behind the counter.
“Yes sir, let me show you what we have,” she replied, fluttering her eyelashes a bit too much. Attractiveness was a curse of the Black family. While Sirius was better looking than Regulus, it wasn’t as if Regulus was lacking in the looks department. Women fell head over heels when they met him. This young lady was obviously no exception.
She led him to a case containing a wide variety of gold chains and pendants. There was an oval shaped locket, which was nearly identical in size to the Slytherin locket. “I’d like that one please, and, er, a fine gold chain as well,” he said to the girl while pointing to the case.
“A fine choice, sir. Is this a gift for someone special?” she inquired, hoping that it was for his mother.
“Yes. Yes, you could say that. Its for someone extremely special,” he replied thinking to himself, Oh, if only you knew who this was intended for, dear.
Her face dropped instantly, clearly disappointed that this incredibly handsome man was obviously spoken for already. She wrapped it up for him and he paid her, slipped the package into his inner cloak pocket and left to return home until that night when he would go searching for the cave.
At midnight, he crept out of the house, and apparated to the cliffs surrounding the village. He looked all over the area for a cave, but was unable to find one. As dawn broke Regulus returned home and thought. Could it be somewhere else? No, I’m sure that is where it must be. The Dark Lord grew up in an orphanage; his access to places was limited. He determined to go back each night, until he found it.
It was on his third night there that he discovered it. He searched around the cave and knew that he must be missing something. It couldn’t be this easy.
Waving his wand around almost haphazardly, an arched entrance lit up on one of the walls. But how to enter? He sat on the stone floor facing the entryway and tried to concentrate. A password, perhaps. Grateful for the education he had received from a tutor when he was young, and from his short stint at Hogwarts, he racked his brain for incantations, anything from a simple word, to complex unlocking charms, standing up and waving his wand towards the entrance with each new one he came up with. But none of them were working.
Maybe he needed an object. He tried touching his wand directly to the entryway, trying at least a dozen charms, moving his wand all over the door. Regulus pressed his palms flat against it, muttering further incantations, thinking perhaps the touch of flesh would work, or perhaps foolishly, that he could actually push the doorway open.
Flesh. Blood. The Dark Lord loved bloodshed. Regulus cut his finger with a spell from his wand and rubbed it on the doorway, which vanished and opened into blackness. Of course: he should’ve thought of blood sooner.
He came to a lake and walked around the edge on the bank. A green mist was in the centre of the lake, very out of place. That’s where the locket is. But how to get to it? Again, Regulus sat, staring out into the lake this time instead of at a lit entryway. He realised he must’ve been in the cave now for a couple of hours, but determination stood firm. Regulus didn’t want to consider the possibility of swimming across the lake. He was certain this was no ordinary lake and didn’t want to find out what was lurking beneath its dark surface.
Trying the simplest idea first: he tried Apparating into the mist, hoping it wouldn’t cause him to splinch himself. His body stayed thankfully in one piece, but unfortunately remained on the bank. He hadn’t a broom to fly to it, but figure that would probably be too obvious as well.
A boat would likewise be obvious, but how did he expect to get a boat in here? He couldn’t Apparate one back with him. Maybe there was one hidden here. He felt around on the ground and then in the air, when his hand hit something: a chain. He tapped it with his wand and immediately the chain started to pull something from the depths of the water. A battered wooden boat.
Regulus got in the boat and crossed towards the mist; looking over the edge into the dark water, he saw something below the surface. Inferi. He reached a small island in the middle of the lake, which had been concealed by the mist; the boat had taken him there on its own.
Slowly stepping out of his vessel, he planted a foot on the firm ground. In the centre of the island he saw a basin. The locket must be in there. After taking a couple of strides, he crouched down and looked into the stone bowl. What is this liquid in here? I’ve never seen anything like it before.
He reached his pale hand toward the bowl, but his hand stopped suddenly, as if there were an invisible lid covering the basin. If I can’t touch the liquid with my hands, how am I supposed to empty it? It couldn’t be….no. But, there can’t be another solution. Regulus made a silver goblet with an elaborately engraved B on it appear. Reaching toward the basin once again, he was able to dip the goblet into the liquid. I was right; I’m going to have to drink this.
Regulus lifted the goblet to his mouth, hesitating before letting it touch his lips. No. I’m not going to drink this. I’m going to come back with Kreacher and make him drink it. He dumped the liquid back into the basin, disappeared the goblet, and head back for home.
The next night, Regulus recruited the assistance of their house elf, “Kreacher, I need you to come with me tonight somewhere.”
“Kreacher does what master commands,” the house elf replied.
With Kreacher grudgingly in tow, Regulus made his way once again to the cave. Getting through it and to the island was much quicker tonight, as he already knew what to do. When he and Kreacher reached the island, they disembarked.
Regulus stared at the basin. He waved his wand and the same goblet from the previous night appeard. “Kreacher, I need you to dip this goblet into the liquid and drink it.”
“Kreacher doesn’t think Master’s idea is a good idea, but Kreacher will obey,” Kreacher grouchily said taking the goblet from Regulus’s hand.
The house elf’s hand stopped before it got to the liquid in the basin though, just as Regulus’s had done the night before without the goblet in hand. “Well, go on then,” Regulus impatiently said.
“Kreacher can’t move his hand any further, Master.”
Damn, that’s what I was afraid of. It will only allow a wizard to do it. “Alright Kreacher. Listen very carefully. I am going to drink this liquid. I want you to make sure I drink it all and get me back in that boat afterward. Do you understand?”
Regulus didn’t like the idea of relying on Kreacher to help him, but he figured if he died here, it was just beating the Dark Lord to the punch. Plus he knew Kreacher was obligated to follow a direct command from him.
“Yes, sir. Kreacher will do as Master says.”
Regulus lowered his hand to the basin and dipped the goblet in. He began drinking and filled the goblet again. Several minutes and goblets-full passed; he lost count of how many times he dipped, filled it up and drank. He was starting to grow weary though. “Kreacher, I think I may start needing some help.”
Kreacher took his hand and helped him dip the goblet once again and drink. Regulus had started shouting that he didn’t want to drink anymore, but never told Kreacher to stop making him, so Kreacher continued with the original order, muttering under his breath about how crazy Regulus truly was.
Finally, the basin was empty. Regulus didn’t know this though, still screaming at Kreacher. “Kreacher, water! I need water.” His throat was on fire; his insides felt like they were twisting around themselves. Kreacher took the goblet and dunked it in the lake and made Regulus drink the water.
The Inferi had come out of the lake toward the island. The water that had been poured down Regulus’s throat made his breath hitch, the burning feeling gone. He shot up and cast flames around them, causing the Inferi to fall back.
Regulus glanced into the bottom of the basin and saw the locket in there. I knew it! he thought joyously, feeling for the first time in his life a sense of actual accomplishment. He scooped up the locket and put it in his pocket. From his inner pocket, he removed the package he had bought at the jewellery store a few days before.
The only difference with this locket was that he had put a note inside of it in place of a picture. When he had returned home from Madame Bijou’s that day, he had scribbled a note reading:
To the Dark Lord
I know I will be dead long before you read this
but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret.
I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can.
I face death in the hope that when you meet your match,
you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
It was true: he knew that he was doomed to die for what he had done. He had disobeyed a direct order, had fought with Bellatrix and he had managed to collect bits of information to steal the locket, the Horcrux. Furthermore, he was going to destroy it as soon as he left this place. Regulus did hope that the Dark Lord would meet his match one day too. Ever since that fateful night, he knew that he had been wrong in following the Dark Lord. He knew that only pure evil would harm children like those he had seen. He hoped that they had been spared after he burst from their house, but he wasn’t naïve enough to truly believe that. He knew that Bellatrix would get the job done, probably even crueler than normal in her rage at Regulus. By destroying this Horcrux, Regulus hoped eventually, at least, he could save someone else’s life.
Regulus placed the new locket he purchased, with his note inside, into the basin, which instantly filled back up with the mysterious liquid. He and Kreacher got into the boat, crossed the lake and left the cave.
He sent Kreacher home and decided to walk around London for a while, knowing he wouldn’t have much time left to do so, amazed that he had survived this long. Foolishly, he decided to go to Diagon Alley as well. Stepping into the Leaky Cauldron, he took a quick glance around to see if he recognized anyone there. Ordering himself a firewhiskey, he took a seat at a table in the far corner.
Lost in his thoughts, he glanced toward the bar and saw someone he knew to be a Death Eater. Shit. Regulus slowly stood up and made his way to the door. As he stepped out onto the streets of London once again, he knew he had been spotted. Not wanting to risk anything, he ran all the way home.
~
And now, here I am. Waiting. He realised he had probably been home for a couple of hours and that his mother must be in bed by now. Picking up his cloak, Regulus crept back out of his bedroom, down the stairs, and back into the drawing room he had been sitting in with his mother earlier.
Opening up a cabinet that had an assortment of Black family heirlooms, he pulled the gold locket out of the inside pocket of his cloak and placed it on the back of a shelf in the cabinet. I’ll just keep it here until I can figure out what else to do with it. Regulus honestly didn’t even know if it would be possible to destroy the locket. More than likely there would be an assortment of Dark spells on it to make it indestructible.
He heard someone downstairs. Knowing that it was unlikely to be his mother, who would never be awake at this hour, nor Kreacher who was silent as a mouse, he had only one guess as to who it would be.
Tying back his long black hair, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He opened the door and sitting there was Lucius Malfoy.
“Lucius. I didn’t think I would be important enough to warrant a visit by you.”
“Ah, young Regulus. You underestimate the Dark Lord. He knew you would’ve been a powerful ally. He wanted to make sure the job was done, and wouldn’t trust someone lesser to carry it out. Of course, I have people waiting outside to do it for me,” Lucius calmly replied.
“In that case, I’m surprised to not see Bellatrix here, as it was her specifically I crossed.”
“Yes, well, she pleaded with the Dark Lord to let her come and kill you, but he was afraid that she would be careless in her haste,” Lucius smiled. “I am wondering though, what made you behave the way you did that night?”
Regulus thought about this. Should I make something up? Why bother? I’m a dead man either way. “I ran into my brother, Sirius, a few weeks ago and, well, I began to question what I was doing, why I was doing it,” he stated simply.
Lucius didn’t say anything immediately, though his eye twitched faintly. Slowly, he rose out of his chair, his cloak billowing out behind him, and started walking towards Regulus. “Fair enough. Follow me outside?”
Regulus quietly followed Lucius out the front door of 12 Grimmauld Place. Waiting for him were two Death Eaters. One of them, a male, said to him, “Ready to die, traitor?”
He faced them and spread his arms wide open, waiting for the curse. I only wish I had had time to destroy that locket. No matter, at least it will never be in possession of the Dark Lord.
As Lucius stepped back, the two Death Eaters moved in towards Regulus, lifted their wands, and screamed, “Avada Kedavra,” as green sparks shot out of their wands hitting Regulus squarely in his chest.
The wind whipped pieces of Regulus’s black hair free from its ponytail as he fell backwards towards the pavement, thinking only one thought: Sirius, please forgive me for all I have done.
Fin.