It was one of the hottest days of the year and yet Regulus was shivering. The house is as dark and miserable as when he left for school. Standing in his childhood bedroom and it appears as if nothing has changed; the duvet still a crumpled heap atop his mattress, books half-finished still strewn across the floor, wardrobe door slightly ajar from his last retrieval of clothes. The only difference in the entirety of the joyless house was that no one was home. His parents have gone out on a meeting and Kreacher is nowhere to be found. As the day progressed the house remained silent and frigid, slowly Regulus became concerned for the welfare of his house elf. His parents never took him anywhere when CRACK the sound of Kreacher apperating flooded his ears. Sprinting down to the library, the only room in the house Regulus ever found comfort in he finds Kreacher, sopping wet and shivering so violently it seemed as if he was having a seizure.
“Kreacher what happened,” Regulus demanded.
“Kreacher serves the dark lord,” mumbled the elf.
“What do you mean, what happened to you,” he responded.
“The dark lord took me to the cave, master Regulus,” Whispered the house elf.
“What cave Kreacher, this is extremely important,” stressed Regulus.
“The cave where the dark things hide, young master Regulus,” Said Kreacher growing more distressed as the conversation went on.
“Dark things? What do you mean dark things,” Asked Regulus.
“The necklace and the drowned ones’ master,” stated Kreacher.
“Drowned ones?” Regulus wonders aloud. He dismissed Kreacher and wandered through the library.
Skimming through the books on the shelf lazily, Regulus wonders what Kreacher meant when talking about the necklace and the drowned things. Checking the time Regulus assumes that his parents will be away for the evening and so he can do as he pleased. Foolishly letting curiosity get the better of him Regulus begins his search for answers. After several painstakingly slow hours Regulus finds what he’s looking for. Voldemort is making horcruxes. Essentially making himself immortal and his guarding the one is the cave with Infiri. At this moment Regulus wants nothing other than to run into the comfort of his brother’s arms, however he is no longer allowed to associate with his blood traitor brother so he does the next best thing. He writes him a letter. Here goes.
Climbing the stairs cautiously to his room, making sure none of the old wooden steps creaked. Twisting his door knob Regulus opened his door and padded over to his desk, sitting down with a sigh he pulls out some parchment and a quill. He begins to write.
Sirius,
I know it has been a while but now is not the time to look upon the past. I have discovered something about Voldemort of which has a great importance. He is creating horcruxes. I am unaware of how many but I assume it to be many. I am going to hunt them down. It will most likely be the death of me. If not from attempting to destroy the horcruxes then from Voldemort himself when he discovers what I am doing. While this is relevant to your position as a member of the order it is not the reason I am writing. I miss you. It is a childish thing but I miss you more than words can describe. It is important for you to know that before I die I have never agreed with our parents or Voldemort. I played along so that you could get out safe and live a happy life. I do hope you are happy. I love you.
Always your little brother,
R.A.B
Standing up from his chair Regulus moves to open the window, having to wrench it open as it is as stiff as stone in the arctic like house. Hurriedly, he ties the letter to his owl’s leg and prays for Sirius to read it before he dies.
Leaving his room, not bothering to close the window he creeps across the hall to Sirius’ room. A wave of nostalgia smacks him in the face. The pair had spent many a night under that very bed hiding from them parents while Sirius tells him a story after the particularly bad beatings. One night Regulus remembers in particular, was the night before Sirius ran away. The last time Regulus found comfort in his brother. The story Sirius told was about a pair of princes with awful parents but one day they escape their house and build a castle all of their own. Where no one can hurt them again. Shaking his head in an attempt to get rid of the memory Regulus moves towards the wardrobe. There isn’t much in it anymore save from a few muggle band tees, a pair of skinny jeans and some doc martins. Regulus puts on his brother’s clothes like a set of armour, the only thing that could protect him now. He summons Kreacher.
“I was summoned master Regulus,” says the elf.
“Yes Kreacher I have a favour to ask of you,” states Regulus.
“Of course master anything for you,” insists Kreacher.
“Take me to the cave that the dark lord took you too,” announces the young heir.
“master I fear I cannot, the cave it too dangerous for you,” pleads the elf.
“I don’t care, take me anyway,” demands Regulus. With a loud CRACK they are gone.
Kreacher hesitantly tells Regulus how to get into the cave. Regulus cats his hand smears it along the ragged cave wall. Suddenly they are inside a deeper part of the cave. Stuck on a small ledge Regulus looks out into the middle to the cave where he sees an island. A small basin stands alone in the middle, emitting a green light. Searching for a way across the water Regulus cautiously move around the cave edge he finds an invisible chain and begins to yank. Out of breath and tired already he finds that the chain was attached to a small boat. Big enough for one person and thankfully Kreacher too since the elf was small. As the sail across the water Regulus looks down into the water and finds the faces of the infri gazing lifelessly at the cave ceiling. As they bump into the edge of the island Regulus hears Kreacher whimper in fear, he tries his best to ease his worries. Standing above the basin Regulus looks down to find a clear liquid. After several failed attempts to vanish it, much to his frustration he comes to the conclusion that he must drink it. Picking up the shell that sits aside the basin on the floor Regulus begins to drink.He cries out to Kreacher,
“No matter what I say you must make me finish this potion, there is no other way.
“please master no,” Kreacher wails.
“That is an order,” Regulus commands. With a small nod of submission Regulus continues to drink. He is back at grimmauld place, his brother is on the floor writhing in pain, their mother pointing her wand at him. Regulus begins to cry. He tries to speak but finds himself unable. He is made to watch as his mother curses his brother with venom in her eyes. Finally, she casts a killing curse and the last thing he hears is his brother crying out for him. The potion makes you see your worst nightmare so Regulus has to watch Sirius die over and over again till it’s gone. Gasping for breath Regulus reaches for the locket with a tremor in his hands. Desperately Regulus runs to the island edge, shoving his hands into the water he brings them to his face for a much needed drink. Not before the hands of the infiri jump to life to drag him into the water. Stumbling back Regulus tosses the locket to Kreacher with an order to leave the cave and destroy it. That would be his final conversation with the beloved elf. Once Regulus is certain the elf is gone he allows him to be dragged into the depths of the cold dark water by hands trying to tear him apart. With his last gasp for air and while water fills his lungs Regulus craves his big brother and wonders if he knows that he loves him.
Sirius opens the letter as he gets a strange feeling in his chest, almost as if a part as just been torn out. After reading the letter he realises that his baby brother is dead and he never told him he loved him.
Somewhere in south London Sirius Black can’t breathe.