The beginning
It all came crashing down.
Regulus’ life came crashing down the moment he received the dark mark. Not like he actually had any life to live but everything in him came crumbling down as the ink of the mark had now been embedded into his skin as he stared at it blankly.
It was an order. He didn’t want to disobey his parents. No, he couldn’t do that. Not now. Not after he had followed their every rule and command ever since he could possibly remember. Maybe that’s the reason his older brother despises him. Not like he blames him at all though, well not really- ok maybe he does. He had always been quite the opposite of Sirius in every aspect, he was loud, free, wild, fierce, and defiant, traits he couldn’t possibly imagine himself possessing. He’d rather die than be like him, his brother. The one he looked up to ever since he was born, until today, he still sees him as a hero, a savior who had defended and shielded him from the wrath of their parents. It all stopped when his brother found someone better to replace him, The Sun, is what his brother had described him. It deeply hurt Regulus since he was there. He was his brother, and yet… he decided to find someone else…?
Regulus still had hope that he wasn’t fully replaced not until he left. Sirius had left him in this hell like household. Sirius really had replaced him. His brother, who he taught was his savior and only ally had left him.
Now he was here laying on his bedroom floor, crying. Hoping. Begging silently for his savior to save him. He truly believed Sirius was a hero, while him? He was the villain. He waited, and waited, and waited. With his hope of him coming slowly, but surely started disappearing as the pain in his hollow like shell you call body, slowly became numb before he finally realized he wouldn’t come.
He wouldn’t come.
His savior wouldn’t come.
His brother wasn’t going to come.
His brother, his savior wasn’t gonna come save and comfort him from this hell again.
Who in the right mind would come back to a hell they escaped from when they already saw and tasted heaven? Regulus wished he could come with him, yet he can’t. He’s willing to sacrifice himself for Sirius by staying in this house you can call hell.
But he still hoped. The smallest and stupidest part of him hope that his beloved brother would come save him again as he tightly closed his eyes while tears run freely down his cheeks, seemingly unstoppable as he softly wept in silence. He had accepted the fact that he was alone with no one to hold and save him.
The glimmer from the moon softly lit the dark room as the stars softly twinkled creating a beautiful soft glow against the inky, black abyss. That’s same night, Regulus Arctus Black had died. Not physically but internally which hurt a thousand more. This all happened at the ripe age of 16.
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Regulus went back to Hogwarts looking the same, however, this time, his grey eyes were more empty than usual. If you were to just look at it, it would seem normal, if you are someone close to him it would be the first thing you would notice. And this exact thing happened the moment his friends, more like family, saw him after that summer vacation. Worry and grief had filled both Pandora and Evan knowing they couldn’t save him, even Barty couldn’t help but feel the same way as them with the knowledge of not being able to do anything against to any of their parents.
However Regulus wasn’t the only one who had the mark, but also Evan Rosier and Bartemius Crouch Jr. had the same exact marking on the same spot as his, on their left arms. It might be on the same place, yet from different reasons. Rosier had the same reason and fate as Regulus. He accepted the mark due to his family and also to protect his twin. His sister. Yet at some point she had despised him for getting the mark, completely oblivious to the reason on why such a thing was placed upon his skin. The same parallels as the black brothers. However, Pandora soon understood and had accepted it, pleading her brother for forgiveness, in which he willingly gave with no hesitation.
Barty however was slightly different. He took the mark to piss his father off. He might have a father but never a dad. This resulted into his actions of doing such things just to get an ounce of his attention. The main reason for this, however, was something deep within him, and he knew that his friends already knew that. It was to look after and protect them, most specifically his Evan, his love.His beloved. It was for Regulus too, of course, he was like a brother to him. It was quite noticeable, not like they ever tried making their bond subtle in the first place anyway.
They now sat on their compartment in silence as they knew and understood each other's current situation given the war. Before the door flew open revealing McKinnon with Dorcas in tow. They joyfully joined their friend completely unaware of the burden that now stained their skins.