Chapter 5
The Black Lion
Chapter 5
Regulus leaned back against the rough bark of the tree, its coolness seeping through his robes. The soft hum of Dorcas’s voice drifted through the air, blending with the gentle rustling of the leaves above. For a moment, the world felt distant, and peace seemed possible yet, beneath it all, a quiet dread lingered like a shadow. Running away from his family was one thing but marrying Dorcas, was a whole different level. He had many regrets but this would never be one of them.
He leaned down and kissed her softly, savoring the moment they shared. He wanted to memorize the feel of her lips, the sound of her quiet hum, everything about this stolen peace. But even now, a shadow crept into his thoughts the knowledge that this calm wouldn’t last, that the war was out there, waiting. In a way, they both betrayed their sides by marrying each other.
As her husband leaned back against the tree once again she smiled slightly. He was overthinking again.
“Regulus,” she says softly to get his attention.
“I’m worried Dory, we might have escaped now but the Dark Lord won’t just let me vanish. He won’t just let you vanish. He sent me to recruit you to his side and I ended up falling for you.” he tells her his voice slightly hollow with worry.
Shaking her head she sits up looking him in the eyes.
“All we can do is be careful. I love you and you love me that’s all that matters right now,” she mutters looking up at him. Even though she was keeping a brave face she was also worried.
Nodding his head he lays his hand on her stomach a smile slowly working its way to his face.
“Yes, we love each other, and once this little one comes we will love them too,” he says his voice full of happiness.
Happy with the way the conversation changed she places her hand over his.
“Are you sure, you’re okay with not following your family tradition?” she asked
“Yes, I’m sure our little Hermione will make me proud family tradition or not,” he mutters
With a grin, she leans up and kisses him softly on the lips.
“She did make us proud and she’ll continue to make us proud now.” she whispers against his lips.
Confused he looked at his wife.
“Reggie,” Dorcas whispered, her voice suddenly soft, as if it were coming from a place far away. “It’s time.” She held his gaze, her eyes filled with sorrow, and in that moment, the truth hit him like a wave.
He shakes his head. He knew it was a dream. No, it was a memory.
“Please Reggie you have to wake up, our little girl needs you now,” she tells him her hands on his shoulder
He kisses her passionately. He needed to touch her again even if it was a dream or memory he needed her.
“I love you Dorcas,” he murmurs kissing her forehead softly.
She lays her head on his shoulder before kissing his neck softly before responding.
“I love you too Reggie, but our child, Hermione needs you now. You have to let me go. Let the past go. We had our time together”
“I can't! I can’t let you go ever. I can't face her without you. I need you. No, she needs you” he cries out his heart full of anguish.
She scowls slightly, “You can! It’s time for you to go to her. Please for me for the promises we made to each other. She needs you, she’s in so much pain Reggy.”
He knows she’s right. He didn’t understand what she meant by pain. The war was over it was time for him to go back and find his daughter for her to know the truth. He just wanted one more minute with Dorcas though. Hugging her tightly to him.
“One more minute together?” he asks her softly.
She shakes her head and kisses him.
“I don’t want to let go either, Reggie, but our daughter needs you. I can’t be there, but you can. I love you both so much” she tells him
Kissing him one last time she pushes him away from her.
The softness of her kiss vanished, replaced by the cold weight of the present. His eyes snapped open, the darkness of his surroundings a harsh reminder of what he'd lost. The warmth of her touch was gone, replaced by the cool, biting air of his darkened room.
The silence was deafening compared to the soft hum of her voice that still echoed in his mind. Wiping the tears from his face, he let the coldness of reality wash over him. She was gone, but Hermione was still there, waiting just like Dorcas had said. And this time, he wouldn’t run from the pain.