Return to the heart

While the rest of the guests were talking among each other, Regulus, tried to remember the day everything changed, he and Sirius were always out those days, at 4 and 7  years old, they tried to get as far away from their house as possible, he truly couldn’t say his parents had gone crazy after that day, they had always been the same, consumed by their need for prestige and power, so he and Sirius used to spend their days outside playing, but when they returned home, it wasn’t the normal response they got,in their house was the whole town, everyone discussing and talking at the same time, Regulus only remembered holding his brothers hand as he took in the face of horror in every single one of his neighbors.

Regulus was too young to remember much of that day after all, but he really didn’t need to, the story had been recited to him and everyone else in the town ever since.

All he did remember was the stare of every single person in that room on him and Sirius, and the calming smile of her mother amongst the crowd. 

June 1.   15 years ago. 

— ¡Walburga!, Orion!!Something awful has happened– the voice echoed throughout the house, Walburga Black, asked what happened to the man she recognized to be a distinct nurse of the medical center. 

— I can’t discuss it here, right now I need your help getting everyone in the town  –the little mans face was red and filled with sweat, he was breathing with much difficulty and seemed to be muttering to himself “this is awful” “just terrible” “what ever will we do” Walburga was getting impatient listening to the desperate rambling of the man in front of her, so she called for a meeting in her house of the utmost urgency to discuss whatever had happened that had caused such commotion in a man so usually collected.

When the people arrived, she finally urged the nurse to speak of the reason to convoque everyone in such a hurry, and so, with a trembling voice he started to tell the news that would change the town forever.

–I- d-dddon´t know where t-t-t-to start— he tripped over his words but regardless, everyone was listening, scared of what the terrified man would say. he continued with a voice that made everyone think for a moment the man was about to pass out – Bianca and May, the girls of the baker and his wife– his voice broke when he called the names of the two girls that everyone had seen at least once running through the town . 

– By god, tell us what happened at once! — demanded one of the Weasleys, a known inventor in town, the anguish clear in his voice. 

— They were both found dead outside of town — after the man said this, there was complete silence in the room, not one person seemed to understand the words that had just come out of his mouth, Walburga Black had never talked to the girls, but even she felt a deep worry about how two kids she had seen play around could be dead so suddenly, she felt the immediate need to know where her own children were, taking care of kids was always exhausting, such a stressful responsibility, she was always worried, but despite all a good lady couldn't under any circumstance seem like a bad mother, but her worry was interrupted by the words of the nurse who continued speaking despite the sepulchral silence of every single person present. 

A few sobs could be heard, but apart from that everyone was listening in horror as to what could have happened

— The girls were found — he swallowed hard and tried to keep talking as his eyes filled with tears. — they were found with no blood, and marks in their necks — a single gasp could be heard and then absolute chaos. They all knew the signs, the terrible bodys found without blood and the creatures responsible for them, the creatures that terrorized entire towns, slowly feeding on its people, leaving behind nothing but grief and loss. the town was in complete panic, people were crying and screaming unsure of what to do. 

Walburga Black felt unusually calm, she never liked people who couldn't control their emotions, her family was one of the most ancient in history and they had alway been well versed in the occult, especially dark creatures, so she felt confident when she asked, her voice strong over the cries and laments of fear — Has the creature asked for anything ? —

The poor nurse hadn’t been able to speak a word more after delivering the news, but after the question he responded, less agitated than before — Precisely Walburga, that's why I came to you first, he said he has a deal with your family and 6 other families of the most ancient descent, a deal made more than a century ago with the founders of this town, families who were able to build this town by …— he swallowed loudly before he couldn’t stand to look her in the eyes anymore, opting for fixing them on the floor — by offering the sacrifices needed to feed the beast, in exchange for the safety of every other citizen and for immense wealth to build whatever they wanted .— 

A sacrifice. She blinked.

She heard the murmurs, everyone looking at her and Orion, she knew what this meant, she had always been smart,  her parents used to tell her a story about the powerful creatures that would gift eternal youth, wealth and power to those who offered a small sacrifice, she knew what it meant, she remembered the thing she had repeated to herself since she was a child “power is everything in the end”. and then this was power presented in a ilver platter.

She looked at the faces of horrified hope in all of the people, they would be their heroes, protecting the whole town, she saw her future, the most respected house of Black, her mind went blind with the opportunity that had been put at her feet… and then, her gaze stopped in the gray eyes that were staring at her, big and scared, they had arrived a while ago, her sons, she looked in their eyes and found her answer.

She saw understanding in his Sirius eyes, she knew he understood her, she could see the forgiveness behind the gray, almost curiosity at the situation, he had always been so understanding, of course he would understand, he had to know she didn't want to get pregnant, he had to know he was the reason she couldn’t be happy, she had resigned herself to be nothing but a wife, but now?... now she was given a chance, to take her life back, she would be young forever her life no longer passing by in her tired tired days, she had a chance to turn back, of course Sirius would understand what a nice quiet boy he was, always so curious,  she looked at him, tears in her eyes, so grateful for finding in the gray the permission, the redemption, she had been given an opportunity , she would make them great, what an honor it would be, what an honor. 

She breathed in … out..... in…… out....

two, four, nine times.

Then she looked at Orion, sweet Orion always on her side, just like her boys, just like little Sirius and Regulus, her little stars, she knew they all understood why she was going to do this, of course they would want her to be happy right? to repay for everything they made her lose, yes they understood her, they loved her, oh! her sweet sweet boys.  She repressed a smile and talked once more  — What is the creature's name then? —- 

— huh? — the nurse seemed confused like he hadn't expected that question. — Oh… Right... he said, we goes by the name of L-L-L-Lord Voldemort—

Walburga Black looked at her husband, at the hopeful faces of the towns people she was going to save, and finally she looked at her sons, and felt love like she had never felt for them before. she looked at them and let herself smile.