Walking The Line

September 1980

“Oh bloody hell” Regulus muttered under his breath as he slipped quietly through the front door. 

“He has finally arrived I see,” came a frosty high pitched voice from just above his head. 

‘’The heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black has deigned to pay us a call. How lovely.’’ Came another, no less frosty though slightly nasally voice from a little further down the dark hallway. 

“Grand-mere. It is good to see you again.” Regulus said evenly, keeping his eyes and tone respectful despite the annoyance curling inside.  He hated being summoned back to the house. He could have used the floo he knew, but that would have meant finding one first and he had no time for that today.  

“Ah. Regulus. You made it” His mother said as he entered the drawing room. “And how have you been?” Despite the politeness of her words, Walburga Black’s tone dropped with icy contempt. 

“Maman”. Regulus responded ignoring the implied criticism, “You requested my presence?”

“Is a Mother not allowed to see her only child?” She responded.

“Point taken Maman. What can I do for you?”

“We have been invited to dinner at the Malfoys. Your presence is required as your father is too unwell to attend. There may be other guests so be prepared.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. 

“What have the healers to say about Father’s condition?” He asked, ignoring the question he knew his mother wanted him to ask. 

He didn’t care who was going to at the dinner. According to the daily prophet the war was over and the wizarding world had returned to normal.  Regulus didn’t believe it for a second. Even with the dark lord gone (hiding he thought) the major players on the dark side had continued to meet regularly, planning raids and assaults on muggles and muggleborn wizards and witches.  Nothing outrageous enough to be reported in the papers, yet certainly enough to be worrying. The light side had retaliated but it was tokenistic at best. 

Regulus suppressed a frustrated sigh and tuned back into what his mother was saying. 

“There have been some signs of improvement, however your father is still very weak. You may see him before we depart.” she looked at him, disdain evident on her sharp features and in her cold black eyes.  “And please make sure you change into something more appropriate for dinner.”

“Certainly Maman.” Recognising the dismissal, Regulus left the drawing room and headed upstairs to his father’s study. He knocked on the solid wooden door, ruthlessly suppressing the fear and loathing that always assaulted him entering this room. 

Discipline and control. That had been his childhood, the only relief was Sirius who would keep him safe and find adventures for them to help combat the constant fear. He missed his big brother. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone. Sirius ran away. Left him in hell for the despicable James Potter. Too bloody sunny and good. Totally unsuitable for any associate of the Black family. Typical Sirius though.  Go against all family values, expectations and obligations. Find someone new and abandon the old dead weight. 

Regulus squared his shoulders and knocked again before opening the door. 

“Father.” he said confidently 

“Ahh Regulus my lad. Good to see you’’ Orion waved a hand towards the hard high backed chair on the opposite side of the wide, dark wooden 18th century desk. 

Regulus sat, crossing his long legs demurely and waited while his father coughed into a pristine white handkerchief. 

“Mother says you are still unwell. Certainly your cough does not sound to be improving.” He said, tone flat and unemotional. 

Orion Black, head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, had been a tall imposing man in his prime when Regulus had started school at Hogwarts. The past nine years had seen him slowly waste away, though his pale blue eyes had remained sharp and his temperament ruthless.  Not vicious and unrelenting like his wife’s, but no quarter given to anyone who displeased him - even his own children. 

“Your mother informs me that you are to be my representative at tonight’s dinner. I trust that is acceptable to you.” Orion said not bothering to hide his calculated look. 

“I am honoured to do so.” Regulus replied evenly as he met his father’s gaze and wondered what the catch was. His father had certainly attended events in far worse condition.  

“You should know, that your mother has decided it is time for you to marry.”

Regulus nodded, not overly surprised. “I take it that I am to meet the prospective wives tonight.” He said, none of the annoyance he felt at his mother’s presumption showing in his voice. 

Orion inclined his head. “You are correct.  I trust that this will not be too great an inconvenience.”

As if I have a choice, Regulus thought.  “Of course not Father, though I had hoped to continue my travels for another few months,”

“That should not be a problem once the betrothal has been brokered.” Orion paused, taking in the complete lack of visible response from his son. Regulus. So very different to the banished one. A proper Black. Worthy of the title Heir.  “You have no objections to this action?”

Regulus cocked his slightly, “I’m merely surprised that it had taken mother this long to organise a suitable match.”

Orion barked out a laugh which quickly turned into a hacking cough. Regulus stayed where he was. Orion dying now would be inconvenient but not the end of the world.  A few minutes later, Orion managed to stop coughing long enough to have some water and pat his checks dry.  “So am I.” he said somewhat feebly, before rallying again. “To business.”

Regulus waited. 

“Even though you have had the title for some time,  with the announcement of your betrothal, I will formally hand over the responsibilities of being Lord Black to you. Call it a dying man’s last wish, I would like to see how you handle the responsibilities that come with the title at such a young age, and be available to advise you appropriately.” Orion continued, his voice growing stronger and somewhat contemptuous, as though he didn’t believe Regulus had it in him to run the family businesses or continue the house.  Regulus almost laughed. As far as his parents were concerned he was still a child, heavily influenced by them and their cohort.  Sure he did what he had to during the war, but the moment it was declared over he had announced he was going travelling for several months and would not return unless summoned. A typical rich kid response to a horrible few years. He hadn’t been lying. He had indeed been travelling but it had not all been for pleasure.

May 1978

“What the fuck!  Pandora, please explain.” Regulus, looking dishevelled and his pale face flushed with exertion, turned ice-blue eyes to his best friend. 

Pandora, in complete contrast, was a picture of relaxed elegance in her long lavender skirt and white shirt which showed off her dark complexion and snowy braids to perfection. She laughed. A gentle tinkle in the grim surrounds of the damp rundown house.  “Regulus. I didnt say it would be easy. I said it would be here.”

Regulus sighed. She had a point. He had assumed it would be hidden in plain sight, much like the last three had been, not buried beneath layers of frayed carpet, floorboards and dirt. But he had found it.  A small box with barely discernible waves of dark magic emanating from it.  

He clambered up off the floor with box in his hands. “Help me make this place look like it was.” He said staring at the hole he’d dug. Together they moved dirt, boards and carpet back into place, careful not to use magic which would leave a signature. 

Thirty minutes later they were walking back through a tiny village in the middle of nowhere before they apparated to the cottage Pandora had inherited from her grandmother. 

Regulus and Pandora had been friends since second year. A distant cousin, they didn’t meet until one of Regulus dorm mates, and a closer cousin, Evan had introduced them.  Most of the more prominent sacred 28 families were related at some point, so finding out that Pandora was also a Rosier came as little surprise. What was surprising was the fact she was in Ravenclaw and not Slytherin which was both more common and expected. And that Evan took a year to introduce her to his friends. 

“He only did it because I told him to.” Said  Pandora as she opened the door to the cottage,  almost as though she had been watching Regulus’s memories. 

Regulus grinned. “I for one am very glad you did.”

Pandora was the only person he ever truly relaxed around.  Evan and Barty saw more than most, particularly after six years of sharing a dorm and classes, however they had not been around much after taking the dark lords mark, often being sent on missions which suited their more violent tastes.  Pandoras quiet gentleness filled a gap Regulus hadn’t known he was missing. While her eccentric approach to the everyday, and piercing unexpected insights into people and situations balanced his very logical and often emotionless approach to everything he did.  

The two friends entered the small sunny sitting room.  Pot plants and books lined most available surfaces - bookshelves, side tables, even the floor.  Pandora’s refusal to have a house elf meant that everything remained where it was until one of them put it away. It was refreshing and oddly enough made Regulus feel freer and safer  than he ever had. 

Carefully Regulus moved a pot plant (Jenny he thought Pandora had called it) and put down the box he had taken from the abandoned house.  “Shall we?’’ He asked 

“We’d better. The Krystallisis are not very happy with us right now.” Pandora replied looking worried.  

Taking out his and, Regulus carefully tapped the box, murmuring disarming, opening, protection and anti-protection spells as he did so.  Nothing horrible happened. The waves of dark magic he had felt at the house were stronger now.  Slowly he reached out with a gloved hand, undid the latch and lifted the lid. The dark magic hit him like a punch in the guts and he felt nausea rip violently through  his body. Frightening to stay in control, Regulus dropped the lid and felt the nausea recede. “Well that was fun.” He commented sarcasm lacing his voice. 

“The kringlesnakes don’t agree.” Pandora replied. “What did we find?”

‘It looks like his family ring.’ Regulus shook his head and dropped to the floor. Under the table he found his notebook and whispered the incantation required to open it safely.  He looked at the pages and pages of notes he had taken over the past few months. “Merlin, this man is an arrogant bastard.”  He stated. “First Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, then Helga Hufflepuff’s cup, and now his ancient family ring. I wonder if he’s also used Salazar Slytherin’s locket. And I really hope we don’t have to find Godric Gryffindor’s sword.  I do not want to know where that would be kept.  Even the locket is likely to be somewhere unbelievably awful, if he did manage to find and use it.”

“We don’t.” Pandora said cheerfully. “Have to find the sword that is. Even he’s not that arrogant. Anyway it wouldn’t work. After a hundred years Rowena and Helga were easy to bully.  Godric was as insufferable as Salazar so there’s no way he would go for the sword and expect to win. Not sure about the kicker though ‘‘ Pandora gazed out the window her voice taking on a dreamy quality.  Regulus waited patiently.  ‘Nope. No idea where or what.’ She added breezily and sipped her tea. “Other than it’s small and really dark.” 

Regulus sighed and finished his notes.  “Just like the ring” He sipped his tea. ‘‘Ok. So we think there are six of these items. We’ve found four. You said the fifth is hidden in the dark. Any clue on the sixth yet?”

Pandora thought for a moment. “Someone will lead us to five. Six will be revealed in time.”  Came the enigmatic reply. Pandora shrugged.  “You should shower and change. You’re going to be summoned by your mother soon.”

Regulus accepted the hand Pandora held out to him and pulled himself up. “Thanks for the warning” he said and dropped a kiss on her cheek before heading up to do as suggested. He hated being summoned by anyone, especially his mother. 

March 1976

“I can’t Pandora” Regulus turned terrified eyes on his friend.  

“You have to.” She said gently.  “I can’t do it for you. It’s not my test.”

Regulus shuddered “But I’m only sixteen.  No one else is expected to get the mark until they’re at least seventeen and finished school.” he cringed at the whine creeping into his voice.  

Pandora placed a hand on his arm as they sat in a remote tower alcove staring down at the students enjoying the first rays of spring sunshine.  “No one else is heir to the most noble and ancient house of Black,” she said quietly 

Regulus nodded glumly. He knew that, resentment still thick in his heart as he watched his ex-brother throw an arm around the insufferable Gryffindor Quidditch captain.  Sirius Black and James Potter. Inseparable. Regulus hated them both.  He continued to stare as the two older boys joined the rest of their friends under a large tree at the edge of the lake.  He could almost hear the raucous laughter as what had been a calm group conversation turned jnto something that looked like a bizarre gymnastics competition.  Pandora shifted beside him. Regulus sighed again. “I know. I know.” He said quietly, the whine replaced with an unexpected softness  “I’m doing it to keep him, them, us, safe.”

“They’ll forgive you in the end.” Pandora said quietly 

Regulus snorted “Hardly.  I’m not sure they even care.” He couldn’t blame Sirius really. Life at home was brutal. Between the beatings and the curses it had really only been a matter of time before Sirius, always the rebel and bearing the brunt of their parents endless displeasure, had eventually run away. Regulus only wished that he had gone as well. But he couldn’t. One of them needed to stay or both would end up dead. And that was not an option. Regulus had things to do.  He closed his eyes, the scene still playing in his head.  

“When do you get it?” Pandora asked

“This Easter break.  Mother has arranged a family gathering. She’s treating it like a bloody celebration.”

“It is a bit” Pandora said ignoring the glare “You’re being inducted into the company of madness and magic superiority.  You should be grateful that the great lord thinks you worthy of such an honour at such a young age”. her gently mocking tone pulled a reluctant smile from regulus. 

“You know that’s exactly what my mother said, word for word. Except for the madness bit”

“Then you know what you have to do.” 

And so Regulus did. The dark lord’s  distinctive snake and skull mark burnt deep into his flesh.  Initially it had made him feel sullied, unclean, but as fighting intensified and Regulus decided to leave school, he grew numb to the mark and colder towards the world. 

February 1977

Severus Snape sat tied to a chair in a concrete bunker. His eyes sealed shut and his own wand stabbing into his neck. 

“Tell me what you know” The voice was harsh and cold. A ruthlessness that told Severus his choices were talk or die. 

“I don’t know anything. Only rumours and conjecture.” Severus snarled 

“Tell me those.”

“There’s talk that the dark lord has become immortal.”  Severus paused, gulping audibly. The wand never wavered. 

“And you know this how?” Came the cold voice 

“I …. I… No! I can’t betray the master.” Severus sat up as straight as he could with hands tied securely to the back edge of his chair pulling and pulling at his shoulders.  He could sense the man, at least he was pretty sure it was a man, shrug. 

“Your choice. I told you before, tell me voluntarily or I’ll force it from you.” 

The nonchalance was, if anything, more frightening than the threat of violence or anger would have been.  

“I don’t know anymore than that.” He whimpered. “I’m a simply a potion maker. Not important enough to be granted access to information beyond my instructions.”

Another shrug “Remember this was your choice.”

Severus screamed. His body felt like it was on fire as his minded was torn into by long, skeletal fingers of flame. Searching. Searching. Burning through memories even he had hoped were forgotten and now no longer could be. 

“Ahhh. Thank you Severus. You have been almost helpful.  Obliviate!”

Severus slumped forward. Chest heaving. Eyes blank. Regulus grinned and untied his victim. Cuts on his head and hands, as well as scorch marks on his robes would show that Severus had come off worst in a fight. All he would remember is pain and the creeping sensation of memories he had once forgotten.  A good nights work. Regulus grabbed the unconscious man by the arm and apporated back to the woods at the edge of Hogsmeade where he had found Severus lurking, watching Lily Evans as she walked into the village with her friends. Regulus grimmaced slightly. What a creep. 

Three jumps later and Regulus was back at Pandora’s cottage. He had been living here on and off since he left Hogwarts, splitting his time between his duties to his family, the dark lord and the peace of the cottage. Pandora had stayed at school for seventh year declaring that she had no part in the fighting and would much rather focus on her education than the current madness. Regulus envied her the choice. Still he hadn’t given up studying. If anything he had researched and learnt more since he had returned home. The Black family library was a wealth of knowledge of mostly dark magic, which he needed to get closer to the top of the squirming pile of pure bloods hovering around the dark lord if he was up achieve his objectives.  

Regulus stretched and recorded the information he had learnt from Severus before removing it from his memory and hiding the vile. He and Pandora had decided the best way to stay safe was to keep anything they learnt about the dark lord hidden outside their heads. The notebooks were paper rather than parchment and written in a way that would make little sense to anyone other than the two of them.  

June 1976

Taking the dark mark had been one of the most painful experiences of Regulus’s life. Which was impressive considering the amount of pain he and Sirius had endured at the hands of their family. The family celebration his mother had organised six months ago had included the dark lord.  

Not a particularly tall man, the dark lord Voldemort was nevertheless an imposing one, exuding an aura of such arrogant darkness that Regulus had wanted to retch. Only years of discipline had kept his face blank and body relaxed. 

“Young Black” the voice was smooth, emotionless. Regulus’s nodded deferentially, keeping his eyes lowered.  “I believe you are to be initiated into my carefully selected army of pure wizards.”

“It would be an honour My Lord.” Regulus said carefully. His mother had drilled him for days as to what to say and not say. 

A thin smile graced Voldemort’s angular face. “Good.” His smile widened slightly. “To be selected you are required to undergo certain tests. If this is unacceptable you may leave now and there will be no repercussions.” He paused.  Regulus remained where he was. Voldemort inclined his head slightly, as though pleased with the response.  “In that case, we shall begin.”

Regulus raised his head. All the usual suspects stood in a circle around him.  His parents stood on either side of the dark lord proud of themselves, with his eldest cousin Bellatrix stood beside his father grinning madly, while her husband Rudolph’s Lestrange smirked in anticipation. Bellatrix’s sister Narcissa, and his favourite cousin after Evan, was beside his mother, with her betrothed Lucius Malfoy. She was looking paler than usual, which meant that whatever was about to happen was unlikely to be even remotely pleasant. The circle also contained Lestrange’s younger brother Rabastan, who was only a couple of years older than Regulus and had recently received his own mark; Regulus’s uncle Cygnus and Evan’s father Garth Rosier closed the circle. No Senior Mulcibur or Avery.  Interesting. They were clearly not as in as their sons thought they were. Nor were they related closely enough to the Black family.  Inhaling deeply but silently, Regulus met the black black eyes of the man in front of him. “I am ready My Lord’’ he said. 

Without warning Bellatrix let out a shriek of delight and hurled the crucio curse at Regulus.  Regulus let out an involuntary grunt of pain. Oh she was good. This one was extremely painful.  Several people sniggered as Regulus fought the curse for several minutes. He would not scream. At least not yet.  At a nod from Voldemort, the curse was lifted. Regulus took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders.  ‘Could have been worse’ he thought before been yanked up in the air and hung upside down by the ankle. ‘Oh bloody hell.’ He thought. He hated this one. Pain he could deal with. This form of helplessness just made him angry. To make matters worse someone else cast the leg-locked curse, while a forth person kept a small fire burning just below his head, the flames reaching up to lick his face, and causing minor burns. 

Over and over again. Regulus was cursed, suspended, burnt and healed.  Everyone in the room taking a sick pleasure in watching a sixteen year old boy writhe and scream in pain until he was a helpless mess on the floor at their feet.  When he was sure no one else was going to attack him, Regulus rose shakily to his own feet.  Tears streaked in fine lines down his pale face but he ignored them, fury burning inside him at the look of unbridled pride on his mother’s usually self satisfied face.  He took in his father’s now blank expression and lust filled eyes before looking at Voldemort. Disgust quickly dampened before it could show. 

“My Lord.” He said, relieved that his voice came out as more than a croaky whisper. 

“You did well young Black.” Voldemort paused. “You are indeed worthy of my mark.  Roll up your left sleeve.” Regulus felt the command rip through his mind. Merlin. That was powerful. Much more powerful then he expected. 

With all the pose of a showman, Regulus did as he was told. Voldemort took a step forward and placing his wand on Regulus’s arm began chanting under his breath. The words a mix of so many languages Regulus couldn’t keep track. Not that it mattered. Within moments Regulus was was fighting to keep from throwing up as wave upon wave of nausea and pain threatened to overwhelm him far more than the torture he had just been through. A reaction to some seriously dark black magic, his logical brain told him.  Regulus almost laughed. How broken was he that he became cold and logical at times like this? He didn’t get an answer as everything stopped so abruptly he stumbled forward, narrowly missing landing in Voldemort’s arms. Cursing silently, Regulus took a step back again and bowed slightly instead.  His head and body still ringing with nausea and confusion. 

Voldemort twitched his lips in a cruel thin smile. “You would not be the first to land in my arms.” He said, sounding almost disappointed despite the smile “But you are the first to stay on your feet. You have potential. I commend you.” 

Regulus could see Lestrange and Malfoy colour slightly at the comment. Good to know he noted. Bellatrix continued to grin madly. “Well done Cuz.” She said gleefully, and slapped his arm. “We are going to have so much fun.” 

“I’m sure we are” Voldemort remarked “But before we do, your cousin needs to freshen up so that he can join us for the dinner that has been prepared in his honour.”

“Thank you My Lord.” Regulus replied, grateful to have a few minutes to himself before the evening continued.  

It turned out to be a very long night.  His arm throbbed from the mark, and his body ached from the abuse inflicted on him by his family. Eventually it came to a close. 

“I believe you will return to your school next week.” Voldemort said as he was gathering his cloak and gloves in readiness to depart.  Regulus nodded. “Good.” the dark wizard continued. “Remember to keep the mark concealed at all times, and I would like you to keep notes on any students you believe may be useful or hinder our cause to rid the wizarding world of filthy mudbloods and half-breeds.” 

Regulus kept his face impassive, though he noted the greedy glint in his mother’s eye. “I shall be ever vigilant.” Regulus responded. 

“Excellent.” Voldemort placed a hand briefly on Regulus’s shoulder before turning to Walburger and Orion “Your boy did well tonight. Let’s hope he continues to live up to his family’s promise.” With a final nod, the dark Lord stepped through the floo. 

“The dark Lord is correct Son” Orion’s voice broke through the fog that was rapidly descending on Regulus. 

“Thank you Father” he responded, hiding his exhaustion purely out of habit.  

“Do not let us down” Walburger added with less severity than usual. 

Regulus blinked. “Of course Mother.  If I may be excused”

“Certainly. You may also be excused from breakfast. We are expected at a meeting in the evening. I will tell you the location tomorrow afternoon.” 

Regulus turned on his heel and headed upstairs to his room ready to sleep for a week. He would be lucky to get twelve hours.  

February 1977

Regulus looked at the mark as he undressed for the shower. He had worked hard over the past 8 months to become part of the inner circle. His family name and connection to Voldemort’s lieutenants Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy certainly helped, so did his ruthless approach to the dealing with those who offended the dark lord. Slowly his heart and soul had become harder and colder. Only Pandora, who no one knew about, had kept Regulus from disappearing into the darkness completely. 

As Regulus grew more distant from those around him, and he started to become active in meetings, he began to notice more. The increased flattery from the other families as though he were successor to more than the House of Black, the growing sense of fear in some of the newer members of Voldemort’s followers towards him and the dark lord, how Bellatrix smirked in glee as though she knew a greater secret then anyone else, the subtle changes in Voldemort himself.  His cruelty was becoming more vicious toward both his enemies and his followers, he took more and more pleasure in the petty squabbles he instigated between the noble families as they sought to gain his favour. Then Regulus heard the rumor about immortality. He had been directing a team of potioners in one of the Rosier mansions which had been set up as the central potions producer, when someone had mentioned that the dark lord had demanded an elixir to defend against aging and increase health. 

“You’d would think the extended lifespan of a wizard would be enough.” One witch was complaining 

“It’s like he wants to be immortal.” Her companion agreed 

“What he wants is impossible.” A third grumbled “Only seriously dark black magic can give immorality” 

“Enough.” Snapped an oily voice. Severus Snape. A potions genius, his lack of family connections and people skills meant he remained hovering on the edge of the inner circle, and he hated Regulus for having just as much talent as well as everything else. Regulus kept his head down. “The Dark Lord has given us a task and I trust you three to be able to complete it. What he wants with this elixir is of no concern”

“So you don’t know what it is. And you say you’re part of his inner circle.” Taunted the witch, her tone mocking.  

“I know more than you Witch.” Severus ground out “Get back to work and cease gossiping. Langlock.” 

Regulus almost laughed as Severus cursed the three portion makers. That spell hurt and left your tongue sore for days. His mother liked to use it when she felt he and Sirius had been too talkative. If she simply wanted to not hear them she cast the less painful silencio on them instead. Regulus continued to keep his eyes and ears open to what the other followers said about not just the dark lord, but other members of the inner circle. He was amused how often people forgot he was there. Unlike the more prominent members of the inner circle, he didn’t lord it over others, and he liked to keep his skills up practicing potions, spells and duels by working with the different groups whenever he could.  It meant that he heard more from the everyday followers than most. And this particular rumour was persistent. 

When he wasn’t running errands or honing his skills, Regulus ransacked the Black Family Library with its extensive sections on dark and ancient magic. It was while reading one of the more obscure tomes, that he came upon mention of the horcrux. A piece of exceedingly complicated magic, a wizard is able to imbue a part of their soul into an object of significant value to the wizard through a series of chants and the murder of another witch or wizard. While a part of the soul remains in a horcrux, the wizard can never truly die.  Regulus shuddered in horror. The combination of blood and death magic was rejected by the entire wizarding community as an evil step to far. Sure he was not above torturing another to get the information he needed, and he had killed plenty of people during the battles so far, but a horcrux was something else. His soul might be cold, and his heart frozen, but he could never be that removed from humanity.  

It was several days after his discovery  before Regulus could tell Pandora. 

“Finally.” She said “You need a project to keep you busy”.

Regulus snorted. “I have a great manny projects, I certainly don’t need another. Any way can’t you pass on this information to the other side.” 

“What are these mysterious projects of yours?” Pandora asked handing him a cup of tea and avoiding his question. 

“Oh, just a little murder, mayhem and revenge.” Regulus grinned. It was not a pleasant grin “Patricide, matricide, costricide”

“I don’t think that’s a word.”

“Probably not, but they all have to die regardless.”

“Why?”

He looked at her “Because they are Blacks.”

“Not all Blacks are evil” Pandora said gently.

Regulus paused “True.” He admitted thinking of his brother, his uncle Alphard and cousin Andromeda. “But they all escaped and have been burnt off the tree so technically they’re no longer considered part of the Black family. And I’m fine with that.”

“What about you?”

“Oh I’ll undoubtedly die. Hopefully in a battle worthy of my name. After all, I too am a Black, filled with loathing for all creatures not pure in blood and status.” Regulus suppressed  wince. He didn’t particularly want to die, nor did he believe in anything his family stood for, but he knew didn’t particularly deserve to live. Once the war was over and Sirius was safe from their family, there was nothing left for him anyway.  

“You have me.” Said a quiet voice beside him. 

Regulus looked at Pandora. Her gentle eyes sad, and his face softened. He reached out and pulled her into a hug. A gesture so unlike him, he felt her stiffen slightly before relaxing and returning the gesture. “Yes” he said, just as quietly “I have you. You keep me sane in this world of madness. Thank you.” 

Pandora smiled into his chest. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Regulus laughed “We always said nice things to and about you.  You’re impossible not to like.”

“Perhaps.  But no one has ever said I keep them sane. Usually I come across as too eccentric for sanity. And my experiments don’t always work.” She paused. “The kringlesnacks agree.” 

Regulus smiled into her hair and enjoyed the peace Pandora always brought him, kringlesnacks or not.  

And so the hunt for the horcruxes began.  Pandora researched what she could in the library at Hogwarts. Regulus continued to make his way through his family’s library, and paying even closer attention to everything Voldemort said and did.  It took months before they got their first clue. A passing reference to childhood diaries, the power of imagery, and how the most famous of wizards had items attributed to them. Including the four most famous British wizards, the founders of Hogwarts. 

August 1977

Regulus sat quietly, enclosed in the window seat at the back of his mother’s second favourite drawing room, his notebook resting on his lap as he watched the quiet London street below. Dusk was approaching adding a melancholy to his thoughts. Sometimes he missed his brother so much it physically hurt. This was one of those times. Unbidden memories crept into his mind. 

Regulus had just turned six, and worshipped his mischievous seven and a half year old brother. The two boys had been playing quietly on the first floor landing pretending to battle giants and centaurs while their parents conducted business in the study. The slam of the heavy study door sent them scurrying into the nearest room. 

“Uh-oh” Regulus had said, looking at the perfectly, if sparsely, furnished room. No cupboards, and he was too big to hide behind such spindly chairs.  

“Hey.” Said Sirius knocking him gently on the shoulder. “What about behind the curtains?” 

Regulus grinned. The curtains were heavy dark velvet and fell all the way to the floor. Two small skinny boys should be able to hide there easily.  Grabbing each others hands, the two boys quickly and quietly made their way to behind the curtains. Emitting tiny gasps of surprise and delight the Black brothers discovered the curtains hid a bay window with a seat big enough for them both. They wouldn’t have to press themselves into a wall and hope their feet didn’t show. Something which had happened before. Regulus grinned as he scrambled up onto the seat with Sirius “How ..” he began as Sirius clamped a hand over his mouth and shook his head. Regulus stopped, Sirius had better ears than he did, just as two sets of footsteps entered the room. 

“My dear Walburga, you are definitely the clear headed one on this relationship, surely you can persuade Orion to take a stand in this matter.” The voice was smooth and very self-assured.  

“Perhaps, though he is being particularly stubborn this time.  What you’re proposing seems perfectly fine to me.” She paused slightly “I’ll see what I can do.” Walburger replied. “Come. This room does not appear to have a connected floo. Another oversight by the previous generation.”

The boys looked at each other and sat as quietly as they could, holding their breath. They had never heard their mother being so deferential before. In public she showed a slight hint of deference to their father as befitting the wife of high status, but never in private.  Walburga was definitely the one in charge. It was almost scary to hear the change. Who was the man with such a smooth voice. The boys looked at each other, not sure they really wanted to know. 

Now, almost two decades later, and seated once more in the hidden window seat, Regulus knew who the man was. 

“My Lord” said a familiar unpleasantly sharp voice

Regulus stiffened as he heard his mother enter the room. 

“My dear Walburga” responded a smooth menacing voice. 

A shiver ran down his spine. Deja vu. 

“I see you have updated the room. Less cluttered.”

“Thank you My Lord. We also connected the floo if you wish to use it.”

The dark lord laughed. It was filled with unpleasant mirth.  “You have an excellent memory I see. Did you ever keep a diary when you were younger? “

Regulus could feel his mother stiffen. Was this a trick question? 

“As a girl I did like to record my impressions of people and things. I also enjoyed the challenge of inventing spells which needed to be recorded while I worked on them.” Walburga answered, keeping the naturally sharp edge to her voice as light as she could. “Of course these days, one has to be extremely careful what one writes down. You never know who might read your thoughts.” 

Voldemort laughed again. “ So true. So true. That’s why we have Legilimens.” They were silent for a moment, before Voldemort added, almost wistfully, “I also kept a diary while I was at Hogwarts.  I was fascinated by the different approaches to magic and how I could exploit those less skilled than I.”

“You have always been a leader.” 

“Yes. My family has been filled with great wizards for generations. Descendants of Salazar Slytherin himself.” Pride filled Voldemort’s voice. “I believe he did not think much of the other founders, though they each have a place in our world. Under our heel.” He laughed, cruel and malicious. 

The conversation was interrupted by a small pop as the Black family house elf appeared. 

“What is it Kreacher? I told you I was not to be disturbed.” Said Walburga coldly 

“Kreacher is sorry Mistress. Master Orion desires your presence in the study. He said to say that there are documents that need to be signed immediately.” 

“I am sorry My Lord. Business beckons.” Said Walburga, a note of apology in her voice. Regulus’s was fascinated. This was a side of his mother he had never heard before. 

“I do not mind. Your business benefits our cause.” Voldemort said magnanimously 

“Thank you My Lord. We will see you soon I hope.” 

“Certainly. And make sure to bring your son to our next meeting. He has great potential which I would like to harness.” 

With that the door was shut and Regulus found himself alone again with plenty to think about.  

———-

Over the next few weeks Regulus took to spending as much time behind that particular curtain as possible, and talking over what he heard with Pandora when he returned to the cottage periodically. It turned out that his mother liked to conduct additional conversations in the first floor parlour on the way to or from the study.  Here Regulus learned that Voldemort went to Hogwarts only a few years ahead of Evan’s father and his own uncle Cygnus. Back then he’d been known as Tom Riddle, with a flair for cruelty which kept others at a distance. ‘Much like me’ Regulus’s thought when he heard this description from Gareth Rosier one night. 

It was Pandora who decided that the diary was the key to Voldemorts horcruxs. 

“The kringlesnacks are very keen on this.” She said thoughtfully “They think that it will tell us what we need to know.”

“Any idea where it might be hidden? I’m assuming it’s not something he carries around with him. Would defeat the point of splitting your soul into pieces.” Regulus said

Pandora’s voice took on the dreamy quality it did when she was ‘seeing’ or feeling something. “It’s hidden in plain sight. Somewhere unexpected.” Her voice brightened “So who is likely to have a secret diary of immense power they don’t know is a secret diary of immense power?” She asked. 

Regulus looked thoughtful. “Hmmm … Not mother.  Even with warding spells she can’t be trusted not to read anything and everything she’s given. Too damned curious for her own good“ Pandora grinned at him. “Yes just like me.” Regulus grinned back. “No.  Not her. I’m thinking Malfoy, Lestrange or Rosier. They’re diabolical enough to want to continue to be seen as the favourite and won’t ask questions.” He sighed. “Guess that means I must attend more events. They are sooo tideous.”

“True” said Pandora unsympathetically “But you are a rising star and must do your duty.” 

Three lunches, five dinners and way too many meetings later, Regulus was sitting with his cousins Bellatrix and Narcissa waiting for Voldemort to arrive for an intimate dinner. 

“Only his favourites are here tonight.” Bella said gleefully. 

Narcissa rolled her eyes “The way you prostrate yourself at his feet is completely undignified. It brings shame to the family.”

“It’s funny Cissa. The dark lord loves it.”

“I don’t doubt it panders to his ego, but does he respect you for it.”

“Of course. If he didn’t he would not have given us his most precious possession.”

Narcissa raised an eyebrow “Is that what he said.” She laughed “He said the same thing to Lucius.”

“What did you get?” Challenged Bellatrix, a manic note entering her voice 

“Some stupid book.” Sneered her sister “uh. Lucius was so proud. Put it straight in his study. What did you get?” Narcissa asked curiously

“A family heirloom.” Came the response filled with contempt for Lucius. “And if you beg I’ll even let you see it.” Bellatrix grinned wildly and turned to Regulus “You too little Cuz. But you have to beg more.”

Regulus kept his face impassive as he took in the information, and looked at Narcissa “Do we care enough to beg?” He asked a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. 

Narcissa laughed. At that moment there was as a sharp crack and the Malloy house elf arrived in the room. 

“Begging your pardon Mistress. The Master wishes you to know that the Lord Voldemort has arrived.” 

Ignoring the elf, Narcissa turned to her cousin and sister “Shall we.” She said, standing gracefully to lead them down towards the dining room. 

Dinner was interminable. Regulus made the required small talk, then fell silent and listened. Voldemort talked and talked while Malfoy and Lestrange interjected when they could, praising his vision, agreeing with his insights, and plotting how to overthrow the ministry. Bellatrix laughed and made big, if somewhat creepy and stalky, eyes at the dark lord, occasionally turning to admonish one of the others for saying something which displeased her master. During one exchange Regulus met Narcissa’s eyes and both struggled not to laugh at the absurdity of the conversation. Vaguely Regulus wondered if he could recruit Cissa to his cause but decided against when he saw her gaze at Lucius. While the look was fond it was also extremely calculating. ‘Too much Black’ he concluded. 

As the evening drew to a close Regulus found himself standing alone with the guest of honor. 

“Ah Regulus.” Voldemorts smooth voice oozed power and control. 

“My Lord.” responded Regulus with a slight bow of his head

“You have been working hard for us since you took my mark.” The dark lord stated as he fixed Regulus with a probing stare.

Regulus met the dark eyes without flinching. Part of his hard work had included learning to shield his thoughts and memories from all but the most intense invasion. “Thank you My Lord.” He said evenly 

“And yet, should you not still be at school as I instructed when you became my follower?” The voice held a mix of recrimination and curiosity 

“Hogwarts has taught me all it could My Lord.” Regulus replied “I felt I could learn more from being in your presence more often, and be of greater service to the cause if I was working with your followers.” 

Voldemort smiled. “A good answer my boy. And you are right. Someone as talented as you is wasted at such as narrow-minded institution.” He paused. “I have noticed that you are not one to seek the favors of others.” Voldemort glanced over at the others pretending to talking amongst themselves whilst watching the two of them.

Regulus shrugged. His name was enough to get people’s attention, he didn’t need the overt displays of power demonstrated by the rest of Voldemorts circle. 

“I like this about you.” Voldemort continued “Power is less about what you are seen to do, but more about what you do in the shadows. Would you not agree?” 

Regulus pondered this for a moment. “I have observed that this is what you do.” He said cautiously. “You display your power as required, but always with restraint, letting others overstretch themselves.” 

Again the predatory smile “You have been paying attention. What else have you discovered?”

Regulus knew there were many layers to this question and pondered briefly the best way to answer. “Your influence can be seen in the way the wizarding community speaks about you. Your followers are curious to know how they too can become part of your inner circle, your enemies dread meeting you in battle, and your power inspires awe and fear in lesser magic users everywhere.” The cynical part of Regulus’s brain shook its metaphysical head at how Voldemort preened. “You are among the greatest wizards we have ever known.” Regulus got the affronted look he expected and paused a moment “Only the great Salazar Slytherin could be considered as perhaps surpassing you, though I believe you may have surpassed him. Certainly the other Hogwarts founders pale in comparison.”

The self-satisfied look on Voldemort’s face confirmed what Regulus had long suspected. The man’s ego was enormous, even compared to those of his own family. 

Voldemort nodded “And what of your headmaster, the great Albus Dumbledore?”

Regulus was surprised to hear notes of old bitterness in Voldemort’s voice. That was interesting. He allowed himself a small shrug and let disdain shown on his usually expressionless face, “My Lord, Dumbledore is an incompetent fool. Look how easily he falls into even the simplest of your traps.” A peal of laughter greeted this statement. 

“Oh Cuz. You are soo funny.” Bellatrix sauntered over and threw an arm around his shoulders “Wouldn’t you agree My Lord” she added boldly meeting Voldemorts eyes with a look Regulus refused to interpret. 

Voldemort covered his annoyance at Bella’s interruption with a magnanimous smile “Your little cousin certainly has a way with words.” He said “I look forward to seeing how he will wield them as we crush the current incompetence and establish our own rule on this blighted world.”

Bellatrix spun with Regulus around the room, head thrown back in glee “Rulers of the world.” She sang out “Do you like that little Regulus. Our Dark Lord, Master of all he surveys and us right behind him as his lieutenants.” 

Regulus rolled his eyes and allowed himself to be led in his cousin's mad caper. He could see Lestrange looking torn between embarrassment and annoyance, while Malfoy looked thunderous. Narcissa stood impassively to one side and waited for her sister to calm down. It was the look of fondness on Voldemorts usually impassive face that caught Regulus off guard causing him to stumble slightly. ‘Interesting’ he thought as he turned his stumble into another spin. After a few minutes Regulus orchestrated a move which would send him towards Lucius Malloy. 

“Enough.” He laughed as Bellatrix pounced after him. “Malfoy rescue me please.” He added plaintively. 

“Bella. Stop.” Came a quiet command. 

“As you wish.” Bellatrix replied dropping to her knees in front of Voldemort. 

Regulus watched as husband and brother-in-law winced and quickly covered their reaction with polite smiles. “Thank you My Lord.” They said almost in unison

“Bella does tend to be overly excitable these days.” Lestrange added condescendingly. 

Bella turned to him. “These are exciting times” she said sweetly, a promise of retribution in her brown eyes. 

Voldemort reached out a hand and raised Bella back to her feet, ignoring the others. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, especially on the battlefield.” He paused and stared directly at Regulus. “I have an assignment for you young Black which I will discuss with you in a moment.” He then looked at the others “In four nights we will hit the Order hard. Lucius and Rudolphus gather your teams. We will meet in the morning to discuss the details.” Voldemort dropped Bella’s hand and swept out of the room. As Regulus fell into step with the dark lord he felt three pairs of eyes burning through his back. The jealousy as Voldemort’s inner circle vied for preference and power amused and terrified him. He just hoped they would burn each other and not him. 

Voldemort led Regulus up the grand staircase and into a sumptuous study., Clearly at home in the Malfoy’s manor, Regulus wondered idly if Voldemort was as comfortable in the colder, more austere Lestrange castle. 

Regulus remained standing while Voldemort seated himself in a tall straight-backed leather chair behind the large oak desk. Despite never having been in this particular room, the scenario felt so familiar to Regulus that he automatically started to take in where everything was placed, what could potentially be used as a weapon, and whether the window or door was a better option for a quick escape if necessary. Even his stance was one he had learnt as a child and held automatically as he waited for Voldemort to speak. 

Voldemort studied the young man in front of him.  Slim build, black hair kept short and neat, well dressed but not showy, military bearing, self assured. And clever. Perhaps a little too clever with his pale blue eyes that missed nothing and showed less. Yes. A perfect specimen of what the wizarding world should be. 

Voldemort stretched out the silence. Regulus remained impassive. Waiting.  Regulus knew this game well. The first to break the silence or move lost. He had been winning since he was ten and Sirius went to Hogwarts. Sirius was never very good at silence. Too much pent up rage and rebellion.  Regulus could, and had, waited for hours. Never speaking. Never moving. Always watching. 

Voldemort laughed. A sudden bark in the heavy silence of the room. “Ha! Ah young Regulus Black, you are like a statue. As pretty as Rowena Ravenclaw. As devious as Salazar Slytherin.” 

Regulus bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment of the compliment. “Thank you My Lord.” He said quietly “How can I serve you?”

“I need the services of your house elf.” Voldemort watched for a reaction. 

Regulus shrugged as though such a request meant nothing to him, though inside he felt his temper rising. “Of course My Lord. How can Kreacher assist?”

“I have a job which requires unbreakable loyalty and sacrifice.” The dark eyes were cold and calculating. “Will this be a problem?”

Regulus met the stare with indifference. “I doubt anyone will notice if one house elf is replaced by another.” He said smoothly. “When and where should I have him meet you?” 

“I have not yet everything in place and may call upon him at a moments notice so you will need to be ready” Voldemort locked eyes with Regulus who remained impassive. “You are dismissed.”

“Thank you My Lord.” Regulus bowed his head once more and headed for the door. 

“And Black, say nothing of this to anyone. Is that understood.” 

“Of course My Lord.” Showing none of the curiosity which burned in him. 

It was well after midnight by time Regulus had taken the floo back to Grimwald Place. As expected his mother was waiting for him. “You missed nothing Maman. Lucius and Rudolphus continue to please the dark lord, Narcissa is radiant, and Bella is, well, Bella.” Regulus frowned slightly and wished he could say that Narcissa grew paler every time he saw her, while Bella grew madder pushing boundaries even Sirius wouldn’t dare, yet remained a clear favourite. Maybe the dark lord liked that kind of madness. He wondered what the real relationship was between his cousin and the self proclaimed leader of the pure wizarding world, then shuddered. Regulus put that thought aside and focused on his mother. 

“I am pleased that you are now seen as part of the elite.” She said a slight warmth creeping into her normally cold and formal tone. 

“Thank you Maman. If you don’t mind, I am rather tired and have errands to run tomorrow.”

Walburga nodded sharply and Regulus made his way to bed with a lot to think about. 

Three days later Regulus knocked on the cottage door. He knew he didn’t need to. In fact he had a muggle key as well as magical permission, but it felt right to knock. 

“It’s open” sang out Pandora as the door swung open for him. 

He grinned and felt the weight of his discovery start to ease as he walked through the cottage into the sunlight parlour. 

“I know where and what the first horcrux is.” He announced dropping down onto the armchair. Something squealed. He stood up again as a small ball of fluff scurried away. “What..” he started then decided he didn’t want the answer, and sat more carefully this time.  

“Oh don’t worry about Polopoli. She knows you didn’t mean to hurt her. She also knows the risks of hiding in plain sight.” Pandora said lightly “She was helping me with my experiments.”

Regulus raised an eyebrow. 

“I’m trying to become invisible.” Pandora explained. “Yes I know there are already ways to do it, but they involve complex potions and spells. I’m trying something far simpler. The Polio-oplioy have this wonderful technique where they can hide in plain sight, so while not technically invisible they can’t be seen unless they want to be. Or someone accidentally sits on them.”

“But we have a relatively easy spell for that.” Said Regulus

“Yesss. But this one allows you to project an image of what you want the other person to see if they do disturb the glamour.” Pandora answered. “What did Polopoli look like when she scurried away?”

“A ball of red-brown fluff.”

Pandora laughed. “See. There you go.” 

Regulus was confused. “You mean she wasn’t, isn’t a ball of red-brown fluff.” 

“Not at all. They’re more like a cross between a disgruntled rat and annoyed pixie. Grey, skinny, lots of limbs and with really sharp pointy faces. And sometimes bright pink head fur. Don’t know why bright pink. Maybe it cheers them up. I must ask.” 

Regulus shook his head, amusement dancing in his light eyes. 

Pandora stood and smiled as she fetched tea and toast from the kitchen. “Thought you might be hungry.” She said. 

“I’ve just come from a ten course dinner with my family.” Answered Regulus. He stopped. “No that was three days ago. You’re right I’m starving.” 

“Your mother really needs to feed you more.” Pandora chided. 

“She only believes in formal meals - breakfast and dinner. And she doesn’t particularly like food so even though Kreacher tries there’s never any snacks in the house.” 

“And you stopped hoarding food when you left school.” Pandora said sadly. 

Regulus shrugged and washed down the last of the toast with a cup of chamomile tea which Pandora preferred.  “I keep hoping being taller than Walburga will remind her to feed me, but she remains oblivious.” 

Pandora took in his too skinny frame. Hogwarts had added some flesh to his bones, but that seemed to have disappeared again, replaced by muscle and sinew. He was attractive, she thought vaguely, if you liked pale and angular. She didn’t. She liked curvy and cuddly. Pandora smiled. “So tell me about your discovery.” 

“It’s a diary. And it was in Lucius Mallory’s study.” 

“Was?”

“Was.” Regulus grinned triumphantly and pulled a packet from within his overcoat. Putting it carefully on the table beside the tea tray, Regulus unwrapped the brown paper to reveal a well-worn leather bound book. 

“It looks like a journal.” Pandora said softly. She looked up from where she crouched beside him. “Have you read it yet?”

Regulus shook his head. “Only managed to snaffle it a couple of hours ago. Then came here.”

“How?” 

“An overheard conversation, an excess of competition, a private meeting and a lot of flattery.” Said Regulus smugly. Pandora glared at him. Regulus couldn’t help himself. It really had been far simpler than he had imagined. “I overheard a conversation a while ago in which Voldemort mentioned keeping a diary as a youth, then at dinner a few night ago Bella was boasting about being entrusted with a family heirloom and Cissi countered with be entrusted with a book. Then I had a conversation with Voldemort in Malfoy’s study, where it was placed in amongst a shelf filled with leather bound books and journals. Of course I didn’t realise this until I got home, so I’ve spent the past three days wheedling my way in Malfoy’s good gracious - he and Lestrange are annoyed at the special attention I get these days which I really don’t want, but anyway, I managed to Malfoy to talk with me in his study where I found the diary and worked my way through all the wards. They were awful and darker then I expected” he shuddered “I’ve replaced the original with a copy so good that no one will know it’s even gone. And yes I replaced all the wards as well.” Regulus almost giggled. “Lucius stood by and watched the whole time completely unaware of what I was doing. He thinks we were discussing the next raid and how to upstage Rudolphus and Rabastan. I love in-law rivalry.” He added sarcastically. 

The Diary 

“What does it say?” Pandora asked again. 

“Let’s find out” answered Regulus as he   opened the book and began to read. “My name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, and this is mine. Who are you?” Regulus looked at Pandora who shrugged. “I am Arcturus Orion Black.” he responded watching curiously as more words began to appear on the page. “Welcome Arcturus. Come into my world” Regulus swallowed a gasp of surprise as he found himself being snapped away. Twenty seconds later he found himself standing in a familiar corridor. “Hogwarts?” He whispered. 

“Indeed.” A handsome youth of about sixteen stood before him. “I’m Tom.” he said “Don’t worry no one can see you. These are my memories.”

Regulus nodded and noticed that the students wore robes which appeared older in style, with the green, yellow, blue and crimson borders and matching ties. “What year is this?” He asked 

“1943.” Tom replied with a smile. “Come. I want you to meet a very special creature.” He turned and began to walk through the castle completely ignored by everyone. Regulus’s followed. Before long the reached a girls bathroom. The sound of crying came from one of the stalls. “Don’t worry about that.” Tom laughed “It’s only Myrtle. And she’s dead. Silly girl got in my way and met her end in a bathroom. Even if she notices us she can’t do anything. No one ever believes her moaning.” 

‘Good to see the casual cruelty is consistent’  thought Regulus cynically as Tom moved over to one of the sinks and revealed a secret door. 

Without a word Tom walked through the door and Regulus followed him through a series of passages until they opened up into a wide underground chamber. The architecture was clearly very old with wide  sandstone pillars, curved ceilings, and large flagstones.  Carvings covered most of the pillars and Regulus wished he could stop and study them, maybe take a few rubbings so he could work out what the strange pictures all meant at a later time. For now he tried to commit as many to memory as possible. 

Tom stopped at the far edge of one of the chambers and began to speak in a low sibilant voice. ‘Parsletongue’ thought Regulus as a faint swishing sound began to echo along the passage they were facing. Suddenly a monstrous snake appeared and reared up its hooded head. Regulus dropped his eyes away from the face and focused on Tom who had donned a pair of sunglasses.  

“Hello My Beauty.” He crooned. “This is the only known Basilisk in England. And she belongs to me. I speak her language. She kills without mercy.” Tom laughed softly, malice rather than mirth flowing around them. “And feeds off their souls.” 

Tom met Regulus’s eyes “I give her some of my soul and in return I let her out to hunt.” He turned back to the basilisk “Poor stupid Myrtle. Our first kill. Joining us forever.” Tom laughed again “An insignificant price to pay for immortality.”

Regulus grinned as Tom turned lust filled eyes on him “You are diabolical. So much power.” 

“And it’s only the beginning” Tom whispered pulling Regulus towards him. 

Regulus slammed the diary shut. 

“What! what did you see?” Pandora’s usually tanned face was grey with worry. “You were gone so long I wanted to send the pockpocks in.”

Regulus met her gaze as he swallowed the bile in his throat.  “Well. Voldemort is mad. And we have to destroy this diary, possibly a basilisk and I no longer know how many more horcruxs.” Pandora stared at him. “And while I’m pretty certain he’s currently sleeping with Bella he’d also happily shag me.” He finished with a shudder. “I’m so not doing that. He can live forever first.” 

“There’s nothing wrong with being gay Regulus.” Pandora chided

“Seriously. That’s what you took from this?” Regulus took a deep breath. “Tom Marvolo Riddle. I’m guessing sixth year in 1943 Created a horcrux by killing moaning Myrtle.  Made friends with a basilisk. Where the snake came from is anyone’s guess but Tom claimed ownership. I” he paused “wonder if she’s still alive… And how we find out if she is a horcrux.  Oh Merlin I hope not.”

“How do you know the basilisk is a female. I thought they could only be male.”

“A feeling. And the name Nagini.” 

“Oh. Ok. What next?”

Regulus pondered the question. Outside the cottage windows birds chirped. He thought of James Potter. 

“Who are you thinking about?” Pandora asked filling his tea cup. 

Regulus shook his head. The encounter with Tom had clearly shaken him more than he realised. Why would the thought of kissing one youth revolt him while the desire to kiss another was almost overwhelming. Regulus openly berated himself. Potter was as a crush he should heave let go when he left school. It certainly had no place in this world. Only defeating Voldemort did.  He looked at the diary he’d dropped onto the floor. “How god are you at burning things?” He asked

Pandora grinned. “I’ve been experimenting with different types of fire. Ohh this is going to be fun.” 

It took several hours and dozens of spells before the found the right one.  “Fiendfyre” Pandora whispered in awe as the diary finally crumbled to dust.  

“Only the most dangerous and complicated to cast.” Regulus said quietly. He looked at his friend. “Thank you.” 

Pandora smiled, her useless brightness dimmed with exhaustion. “Now we know, it won’t be so tiring next time.” Carefully she scooped up the ashes. “Let’s go scatter these amounts the petunias.  They’re hardy enough to resist any lingering magic.” 

The search continues 

Several days after the destruction of the diary Regulus was once again called to a meeting of Death Eaters. 

‘Something big must be about to happen.’ He thought looking at the gathering. The inner and outer circles were both there. He could see Snape with the younger Mulciber, Avery and Lestrange. Evan and his best mate Barty Crouch junior were leaning casually against a wall. So close as to be almost touching. Regulus smiled internally. He wondered if they had snogged yet. Watching them being really careful around each other at school had been amusing and frustrating. He noticed they were still being careful but they seemed less fragile. 

‘It made sense though’ he thought ‘Being gay around this lot is tantamount to a death sentence.’ He sighed. Maybe that’s why Voldemort was so friendly with Bella. He continued to watch. Voldemort acted cold and imperious as he always did. ‘Maybe he hasn’t noticed a fragment of his soul is gone for good.’ The thought made Regulus reassess his plan. It still wasn’t going to be  any where near easy, but if the fragments could be destroyed without Voldemort being aware then the final blow should come as a shock.  

July 1979 

After they discovered that Tom Marvolo Riddle was indeed a descendant of Salazar Slytherin, and his family had been held in high esteem until a number of scandals forced the family into poverty, the being his mother bewitching a muggle resulting in his birth, they slowly built a list of possible horcruxes and their locations, hunting and destroying them as they went.  

As the months and years past, Regulus continued to attend meetings,run errands, develop and deliver an array of ever deadlier potions, and read as much as he could on the different family libraries.  Pandora researched and experimented at Hogwarts, and when she graduated joined him as he chased down leads, most of which ended in nothing. 

So far they had: 

• Riddles diary - found at the Malfoy’s - destroyed
• Helga Hugglepuffs cup - found at Hogwarts - destroyed 
• A family heirloom, the Gaunt signet ring - was at the Lestranges, found at Gaunt house -  destroyed 
• Rowena Ravenclaws diadem - found at Hogwarts - destroyed
• Salazar Slytherin’s locket - based on Vs Hogwarts obsession still to find
• Basilisk Nagini - unknown if actually a horcrux but can’t think of anything else that is meaningful 
• Bellatrix Lestrange - would love it but probably not as way too unstable 

The two friends were exhausted. The war was getting worse with more raids and attacks on ‘the enemies’, and the hunt was taking up all remaining energy with fewer and fewer results. Too many times Regulus had found himself in skirmishes opposing Sirius and his friends. While he had no problem killing or maiming people in the Order, it was extremely hard work keeping his reckless, idiotic brother and friends safe from being actually killed by the death eaters - though they came close a few times. No one was allowed to kill Sirius, Remus or James. Peter he didn’t particularly care about but figured it would upset his brother so kept an eye on him as well. Once or twice he knew he’d been seen by Sirius or James but refused to think about the implications , even if large hazel eyes haunted his dreams for too long after every encounter. 

Regulus sighed. It was after midnight and he had been paired with Snape to watch an old rundown house. 

“Why are we here?” Snape muttered “This was supposed to be Rabastan and the idiot Crabbe,”

Regulus raised a brow in the darkness “Do you really want an answer or are you simply moaning out loud to hear the sound of your own odious voice?” Regulus asked, allowing a hint of venom to colour his voice. What little respect he had had for the head of Voldemort’s potions division had eroded quite rapidly in the two years since the minor torture session about horcruxes.  Snape continued bully others in his area, wheedle up to various men at the core of Voldemorts circle, and worse, as far as Regulus was concerned, to pine over Lily Evans, creeping out after her whenever he discovered where she was. 

“Of course I want to know. I’m not able to question the dark lords orders, but you are. Don’t deny it. I’ve see you argue with him.” 

“I don’t argue. I simply point out the occasional flaw and provide another opinion.” Regulus said indifferently. “Ultimately we all do as he commands.” 

“He doesn’t like you, you know.” Snape said maliciously. 

Regulus stifled a yawn. “I’m not here to be liked. I’m here to win. Now be quiet.” He added over Snape’s derisive snort “The Order are due very soon and we want those boxes with as little fuss as possible.” 

The crack of people apparating filled the air.  Three to six depending on side-alongs. A peak of laughter broke through the silence followed by a furious hiss.  

Regulus smothered a groan. Bloody Potter.    This was going to get messy. A quick glance at Snape confirmed his suspicion. 

With a wide sneer Snaie started to step out from under the trees. Regulus grabbed him roughly by the arm. “Wait!” He commanded. 

Snaked turned to him with a vicious glare. “You are not my boss.” He snarled. 

“And you don’t know the codes to get the items. Or did you neglect to mention them because you enjoy standing around for hours in the dark watching people.” Regulus smirked cruelly as the barb hit home. “We wait until the door is opened and items retrieved. Then we take what we can and disappear. No killing curses.”

“We can kill when and where we like. The only way to win this damned war is to eliminate everyone. Even you highborn should know that.” 

“This is a stealth mission. The order can’t know we were here. They need to believe they have a traitor and start to disintegrate from the inside. This will weaken them. We kill more and they will become stronger and more determined.”

Regulus watched Snape process the statement. It was crucial the other man bought the logic otherwise Potter, and the others, were dead. A sharp nod told Regulus his argument had been accepted.

The two young men kept to the shows and crept closer to the house.  

“For fucks sake Potter. Stop bloody giggling.” Came a sharp hiss. 

“Can’t help it. I was drinking giggle juice when the summons came through. Lasts for hours.”

“Bloody hell. What are you? Twelve?” another voice whispered 

Potter giggled again “So I’ve been told.”

“Silencio” muttered the first voice “Now let’s get what we came for. Should be four or five boxes. The old man wasn’t sure. Three will carry. Potter, you and Damson stay on watch. I don’t trust you not to drop anything tonight.” 

Regulus listened as five sets of feet moved quietly through the house, with Potter staying just outside the front door.  Without warning Sbape raised his wand and pointed it at Potter “Septase…

“Petrificus Totalus” Regulus muttered over the top of him. Instantly Potter collapsed to the ground. Snaps glared at Regulus. Regulus glared back. 

“No killing!” Regulus growled. “Now let’s get in, grab the boxes and get back out before they notice they’re a man down.” 

The two death eaters moved swiftly to the front door. Regulus grabbed Potter by the shoulders and moved him out of the way. “Stay still Jamie.” He whispered very quietly. “You’ll be okay in a couple of hours. Just make sure you see a Healer, though I don’t think Snape’s spell did too much damage.” Potter's honey-brown eyes widened with confusion as they met Regulus’s, taking in the exhaustion and unexpected concern in the usually cold silver. 

With a light kick to Potter's ankles on the ground as he passed, Regulus turned back to Snape and motioned him through the door, ignoring the poisonous look he received.  

“You go left I’ll go right. Stupify everyone you see, grab as many boxes as you can and I’ll meet you back at the Lestrange castle gates.” Regulus instructed. 

Snare snarled but turned left, within moments Regulus could hear spells being cast at full volume. ‘Uh. When will people work out that volume does not equal power.’ He thought and cast a silent stupify at the young blonde witch who stood gaping in the doorway. She fell instantly, dropping the box which Regulus barely caught with his own version of a levitation spell, and boldly entered the room.  It was empty. Quickly and quietly he explored the other two rooms off this corridor before he headed up the small stairs. ‘servants quarters.’ He mused judging by the plain beige walls and brown doors. The rooms contained only two single cots, a clothes rack. and a wash basin. Satisfied he’d checked everything, he made his way back downstairs. The noise had stopped. Either everyone was dead or had disappeared. He didn’t trust Snape not to kill at least one person tonight, particularly as he knew he couldn’t get finish off Potter even if he didn’t know why.  In the back parlour, Regulus found two dead wizards, while another two badly injured and unconscious witches were curled up under the kitchen table clutching their boxes. With a sigh, Regulus removed one. He’d leave the other and hope Snape had only managed two of his own. 

Snape was waiting for Regulus outside the Lestrange castle gates, his sickly pale face covered in cuts and bruises.  

“What happened to you?” Regulus asked as he strode forward through the gates. A furious snarl and a muttered curse followed him but no Snape. “Careful Severus. You really don’t want to finish that particular curse.” Regulus said coldly and without turning.

“I cannot pass through the gates,” Snape responded 

Regulus glanced over his shoulder and waved his wand “Entrer” He commanded. 

Regulus waited as Snape stumbled over the threshold. “Only one box?” He asked conversationally. 

“The other smashed when the fool wouldn’t hand it over.”

“Is that why you killed him?” 

“It was a simple choice. Hand me the box or die.”

“And the others?” 

“The second man handed me his box and should recover in time. If he’s lucky.” Snape chuckled. Regulus felt dirty just listening to it. 

“Did you see anyone else?”

“A couple of witches but they were empty handed so I left them unconscious in the kitchen. Poetic I thought.”

Regulus ignored the narrow minded comment. “Hmm. So three boxes recovered. One wizard dead. Four incapacitated for an unknown length of time.  Not a horrible nights work. Did you recognize any of them?” 

Snape shot him a confused look “Potter.”

“Apart from Potter. Even I recognized him after you put him down. Good last minute spell change by the way.” Regulus watched as the flattery misdirected the deliberate oversight. “Anyone else?”

“I think one of the wizards was a Prewett.  I vaguely remember them being in seventh year when we were in first. Quidditch stars or some such nonsense. And maybe a McKinnon. I never paid much attention to those not in Slytherin. Not worth my time.”

‘Fair’ thought Regulus. If his brother hadn’t been in Gryffindor and Pandora in Ravenclaw he probably would have dismissed the other houses as well. 

The encounter with Voldemort went as expected. Snape took credit for the planning and execution of the raid, proudly handing over all three of what turned out to be boxes of potion ingredients. Regulus was content to stay in the background. He didn’t need to curry any more favour with the dark Lord, and Snape needed all the help he could get. 

Meeting over, Snape and Regulus turned to go when the smooth lifeless voice said “Not you Black. Snape, you did well. Take the boxes back to the laboratory. I will come by with instructions in the next few days. Be ready.”

Regulus remained standing and noted how the years and increase in power had started to strip away Voldemort's humanity. Never warm, Voldemort now looked more like a cross between a corpse and snake. Eyes narrow and lifeless, skin tinged with gray, lips thin and bloodless, hair slicked back exposing a high forehead with a very distinctive widows peak. 

‘Is the price of power and immortality really worth it?’ He mused idly while he waited, then thought of all the followers who worshiped the man like a god. Most of the wizarding community were terrified of Voldemort and in awe of Dumbledore - which Regulus thought was incomprehensible given each was as bad as the other. At least Voldemort was honest about his intentions to take over the wizarding world, whereas Dumbledore sent innocents out to die so he could stay in control without anyone realising that he was the one running their world.  Regulus disliked both of them equally. 

“Black!” 

The sharp tone jolted Regulus out of his musings. 

“Care to share what had you ignoring me?” The voice was deadly pleasant. 

Regulus bowed his head slightly  “My apologies My Lord” he said humbly “I was thinking about Dumbledore’s inherent dishonesty.” He stole a glance up through his lashes and saw a smile curl the thin lips. 

“Explain.”

“You are honest in your desire to see a world in which all wizards know their place, whereas Dumbledore thinks only of his place.” Regulus paused

“And where is that?”

“Where you should be. In control.”

A bark of laughter told Regulus he had gambled true. He fought back a smile and kept his expression humble. 

“Oh well done young Black. I have been wise to keep you at my side.  You will make an excellent leader one day.” 

Regulus bowed a little more then stood up straight. Voldemort was sitting in an ostentatious chair beside the fireplace from which he commanded his troops. 

“Please sit.” He gestured magnanimously to another, lesser, chair on the other side of a low marble coffee table. Regulus sat. 

“You will recall that we had a conversation a few months ago that there would come a time when I would require the services of your house elf.” 

Regulus nodded, his face impassive. 

“That time has come. I wish you to meet me with your house elf at the castle gates at dawn.” Voldemort glanced at the picture painted above the fireplace which was enchanted to always show the castle at whatever time of day it was when looked at. “Which will be in about two hours.” 

Regulus nodded again. “Certainly My Lord.” Oh Merlin. “When we spoke of this you gave the impression that the elf is unlikely to return. Is this still the case?” Regulus refused to flinch under the glare he received. “I will need to manage my mother’s expectations and find a suitable replacement.” He said deferentially, watching the glare turn calculating. 

“Of course. Walburga may not care for such creatures but she will undoubtedly notice if her expectations are not met.”

Regulus allowed himself a small smile. “You know my Mother well My Lord.  I like to be prepared for all possibilities.”

Voldemort lent further back in his chair and studied the self-assured young man. Perhaps Black was the one he sought. Another decade or two should see the youth ready to stand by his side as heir apparent. “It is unlikely your elf will return so feel free to make the appropriate arrangements to have a replacement installed as soon as you deem necessary.”

“Thank you My Lord. I will see to it after I deliver the elf to you.” 

“Excellent. I will see you at dawn.” With a wave of his hand Voldemort dismissed Regulus and closed his eyes. 

Calmly but quickly Regulus walked through Grimwald Place to his room. Even with the heightened sense of panic he felt, all the discipline imposed through his childhood held firm. It was only when he shut his bedroom door and recast his many wards did Regulus allow himself to collapse, sinking down against the end of his bed. “Holy fuck.” He muttered. He wanted to scream. Kreacher was the closest thing he had had to a friend in the house after Sirius went to Hogwarts and then ran away to the Potters. Kreacher would always make sure the young master had food when released from his room, and warm baths for comfort even when the beatings were healed with magic. 

He had to find a way to save the house elf.

Regulus stared at the dark green canopy above his bed. What did he know about House Elves? Not a lot, he admitted.  Other than Kreacher and two or three of the Hogwarts elves he’d never met any. They were loyal to the house in which they lived. A gift would set them free which terrified most elves who lived to serve. And they obeyed direct orders without question. Regulus sat up a slow smile spreading into his eyes.  

“Kreacher” he said softly. Instantly a sharp crack announced the arrival of the house elf. “I’m so sorry to wake you this early.” Regulus dropped to his knees to bring him eye level with the elf. 

“You called, Master. It is no bother.” Kreacher replied solemnly 

“Thank you. What I’m about to say is very important and must be repeated to no one. Do you understand?” Regulus studied Kreacher’s face. 

“Yes Master.” Kreacher stood up taller, more alert than Regulus had seen him before. 

“Kreacher , the dark Lord wants me to take you to him at dawn - less than an hour away. I don’t know what he wants but I’ve got the impression he doesn’t expect you to return.  That is unacceptable. I want you to return but it needs to be somewhere safe.” Regulus paused and looked the elderly House elf in the eyes. “Kreacher, when you have completed whatever task the dark lord sets for you, I want you to go straight to Pandora’s cottage and wait for me there. You will also tell me where you went and everything that you’re asked to do. These are your orders. Complete your task. Return to Pandora’s cottage to wait for me. Tell me everything. Do you understand?” 

Kreacher’s eyes widened. “Yes Master.” 

“Remember, you are my house elf, my friend, so my orders take precedence.”

Regulus saw tears well in Kreacher’s eyes.  “Thank you Master.” The elf whispered. “If I may have a few moments to myself.”

“Of course. Set your affairs in order, and if you have any suggestions regarding who might be able to appease my mother I would be grateful. Will 30 minutes be enough?” Kreacher nodded his head. “Excellent. I will meet you at the back gate and we’ll go from there.” Regulus reached out a hand and placed it lightly on Kreacher’s skinny arm. “Thank you Kreacher.” He said, stood and moved towards his desk, waiting for the distinctive crack of the elf disappearing before he sank to the floor and buried his head in his hands. There was no more he could do. 

Forty-five minutes later Regulus was standing by the Lesteange castle gates with Kreacher by his side as Voldemort strode down the long driveway towards them. 

“Remember Kreacher, I’ll see you alive at Pandora’s cottage when your task is complete.” Regulus said very quietly. “The dark lord does like his dramatics.” he added as Voldemort's strides caused his cloak to flare out behind him. 

Regulus dropped his gaze to the floor, face impassive, as Voldemort came to a stop before them. 

“Excellent timing Black. And you have brought your elf as requested.”

Regulus raised his eyes “Of course my lord. Kreacher will complete whatever tasks you require of him.”  He said. 

“I would expect no less. Black you may return to your duties. There is no gathering this evening. I will summon you when required.” Voldemort studied the marble like countenance, pale clear skin, high cheek bones in an almost heart shaped face, dark loose curls kept short, and cold pale eyes which met his so boldly. He stretched his thin bloodless lips in a predatory smile. Regulus didn’t flinch. “Yes. You will do nicely.” Voldemort said  “Come elf.” With that Voldemort strode back towards the castle Kreacher hurrying along in his wake. 

Regulus waited until Voldemort was no longer in sight before he apparated back to the lane way behind Grimwald Place. He needed a house elf organised before he could sleep and his mother awoke. 

—- 

“Do stop pacing. It’s disturbing the kringlesnacks.” said Pandora patiently for the hundredth time that evening. 

“It’s been 36 hours and still no Kreacher.” Regulus stopped, took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  He got as far as twenty before he resumed pacing around the room.  At some point Pandora had moved all the furniture so that he had an unimpeded track to follow.  

“And it could easily be another 36 or 62 or never.” Pandora said gently. “You need to sleep Regulus. You’re due back in London first thing tomorrow.”

Regulus stopped pacing and dropped down onto the couch beside Pandora. “What if I gave the wrong order and Kreacher is trapped somewhere he can’t get out of it because he vent get from wherever he is to here?” 

Pandora turned worried eyes to him. She had never seen Regulus this distraught, even taking the dark mark and the torment he described he hadn’t been this bad. “If Kreacher can get here he will. We don’t know a lot about elf magic but it’s strong and there’s clearly a bond between the two of you which adds power.” Carefully she pulled him into a hug. ‘He’s far too skinny. Even more than when he was at school.’ She thought. “When was the last time you ate?” She asked

“No idea.” Regulus mumbled from where he rested against her shoulder.

“What about all those fancy dinners you attend?”

Regulus snorted “It’s all style and very little substance. The more expensive the food the smaller the amount they serve. And not because it’s rare or expensive but because it’s supposed to emphasize just how amazing each morsel is. Most nights I leave hungrier than when I arrived.” He sighed “Maybe that’s why Mother starved us so much as kids. Two lessons for the price of one. Very economical Lady Black.”

Pandora had no response so they sat in silence for a while until soft snores broke through the sounds of the birds going through their nightly routine. Carefully Pandora eased herself out from under Regulus and arranged him on the couch with a bright blanket to keep away the evening chill.  She looked at him fondly.  Despite all the horrible things he’d done over the last few years, he really was a half decent person. She hoped he would be allowed a happy ending. That they both would be. She settled herself in her favourite armchair. The future was so murky right now. It was frustrating but that was the way of it so she needed to stay on course and the visions would become clear again in time. 

CRACK!!!! 

Pandora and Regulus jolted awake wands poised and ready to do battle. 

“Ma..Master” a voice croaked

Instantly Regulus was on the floor and had  Kreacher wrapped in the blanket. Pandora handed the house elf a mug of warm dandelion tea. 

“Drink” she said gently “it has fresh honey so will warm you up from the inside.”  

Kreacher cast a grateful look at the two humans and sipped the drink. He did like dandelion tea. “Tha..thank you.” He said. 

A few minutes later Kreacher put down the mug. “Thank you Mistress.” He said. 

“Can you tell us what happened?” Regulus asked as he took in the torn tunic, scratches and what appeared to be bite marks.  Kreacher’s skin had lost its deathly blue sheen and his eyes were clearer which was a relief. 

“I.. I don’t .. don’t want .. want to.” Kreacher stuttered nervously.  “But Master ordered me to so I must.” He took a deep shuddering breath, terror evident on his gaunt face. “He .. he took .. took me to a far dark place filled with dark magic and silence and fear and death. He made me drink and drink and drink until the world made no sense and I felt poisoned and wretched and felt I should die. But I didn’t die. I fell into the lake. The black lake. And I wanted to die. But I remembered … I remembered… that … that you had ordered me to return to you. I was so deep in the water. It was my last thought.” Kreacher looked up at the pale face of his Master. “You .. You saved my life Master.”

“You are my friend Kreacher. That monster was not going to take you from me.” Regulus said fiercely. “I understand you were feeling awful but what can you remember between drinking the liquid and falling into the lake?” 

Kreacher frowned and was silent for a moment before he answered. “The dark lord took something small from his pocket and dropped it into the empty stone bowl. It felt horrible. Evil. Then he started muttering incantations.” Kreacher young his head. “I’m sorry Master that’s all I remember.” 

Pandora shared a look with Regulus. Another horcrux.  “Thank you Kreacher. You’ve done very well.” Regulus said gently. “Go with Pandora to the kitchen and have something to eat. You may sleep there or in the spare room if you prefer, while I think about what to do next.” 

Pandora stood and lifted the exhausted elf to his feet. Eyes filled with wonder at such kindness Kreacher followed her out. 

“He’s settled down behind the stove in the kitchen.” Pandora said quietly when she returned to the parlour sometime later. “You okay?”

Regulus shrugged. In truth he was furious. He knew that Voldemort was cruel and ruthless, and that he, Regulus, had also done some horrible things, but to throw away a life with such ease and carelessness. It made him wonder how many other families cared so little for their own elves. Then he remembered. Only the purebred were worthy. And then only those who followed Voldemort’s beliefs. Regulus thought of the Potters. They were a family as old as his own but so so different. Sirius used to come home from school full of stories of all the wonderful things James and his family did. And other families like the Prewetts and McKinnons and Longbottoms.  All Gryffindor.  All perfect in the eyes of a lost child whose own family hated him.  A wave of jealousy rose up through Regulus’s chest which he squashed with fierce determination. Sirius could have all the joy and warmth, and that was okay. He deserved it. Regulus had anger and revenge. He met Pandora's eyes. “We’ve got work to do.” He said quietly.  She nodded. 

 ——

Over the next few days while Pandora worked with Kreacher trying to locate the terrible lake, Regulus returned to Grimwald Place. He had a plan percolating, but he needed supplies - herbs, potions, spare clothes, weapons. He had a feeling that eliminating this horcrux was going to be far messier than all the others put together.  He also had to attend another gathering. Voldemort had planned a full attack on a muggle village near the Welsh capital as a message to all of wizarding Britain not just those in England. 

The attack was brutal. The village wasn’t as small as Regulus had expected, with a few hundred houses radiating out from the centre square and finishing in scattered farms for some miles, but rather a small, well established town. Voldemort's plan was to form a loose circle at the edges of the town and for the death eaters to slowly work their way towards the centre setting fire to random houses and shops along the way. Once in the centre they would disappear leaving the only just arrived Order, and a great deal of confusion and chaos in their wake. 

The plan was simple and brutal. And it fell apart very quickly. The Order were waiting for them. No sooner had the death eaters arrived at their assigned positions and started to set fire to houses, then members of the Order stepped out of the shadows and started casting counter spells to put out fires and disarm death eaters.  It was indeed chaos. Whoever had warned the order had done it early enough for most of the inhabitants to have been evacuated. Regulus shook his head in disbelief. He knew Voldemort had a spy inside the order, though he didn’t know who, but he hadn’t realised that there was a stupendously stupid enough wizard within Voldemort's circle to be a spy for the order.  Regulus snorted. Ok so he did ask Pandora to pass on what tiny bits of information he could safely reveal to keep Sirius out of too much danger, but absolutely nothing on this scale. Betraying an all out attack like this was suicidal. 

Regulus was deep in thought, distractedly throwing spells at random witches and wizards, when he heard a blood curdling cry. He started. He knew that cry. That was Sirius when he lost all reason. That was not good. Regulus glanced up at the sky. Dark clouds had started moving in.  ‘Oh fuck!’ He thought. Ignoring everything around him, Regulus focused on the direction of the cry and made his way towards it, keeping one eye on the sky. “Bollocks” he muttered as a spell exploded just behind him. Locating the caster Regulus threw a peteificus at them not caring if it hit. He skidded around a corner. In the middle of the street Sirius was crouched like a wild animal snarling at three masked figures in front of him. Regulus could feel the fury rolling off him. Above them storm clouds were building, electricity charging the air. At Sirius feet lay two very still bodies. Even in the gloom Regulus made out Potter and Lupin. “Oh Merlin.” He breathed. This was worse than he thought. He looked at the masks. While notionally identical, the more vain of Voldemort's followers had added small details so their comrades would know who they were and who had scored the most kills.  The younger Avery, Mulciber and Lestrange.  He could feel their smirks as he stood in the shadows rapidly running through all his options. He could not let Sirius explode. It had been a very very long time since anyone had seen the full extent of the Black family magic and Regulus wanted to keep it that way. Sirius could not handle three deaths on his conscience and Voldemort did not need to know just how powerful Regulus and his brother actually were.  Regulus had a hard enough time as it was sticking to an ordinary genius level of wizardry. 

Taking a deep breath, Regulus set up a perimeter to keep others from stumbling across them, and then shot three stupify spells at the three death eaters now advancing on Sirius. They collapsed gracelessly.  That done he walked calmly into the street removing his mask before he came into view. 

“Hello brother.” He said conversationally, “I see you found some friends.”

Sirius stood up slowly wand extended. “What do you want, Regulus?” He snarled

“To see which three idiots decided to take you on.” Regulus responded lightly 

Sirius whipped his head around to where the death eaters now lay crumpled on the ground. “What did you do?” 

“Simple stupify.”

“Why would you do that? Your master would murder you if he found out.”

“Oh I didn’t. I used a wand I picked up along the way.“ Regulus held out a beautiful mahogany and sable wand. 

Sirius snatched it from him “James.” He breathed. 

Regulus glanced at the sky. The clouds were still dark but the electric sensation had ebbed away. ‘Good start.’ He thought as watched Sirius drop back down to the ground. With great care Regulus crouched down on the other side of the bodies. He could see Lupin’s chest rise and fall. There was a gash on his forehead which had stopped bleeding, but other than that he seemed okay. James on the other hand.  Regulus sucked in a breath. The back of James’s dark curly head was matted with dried blood. Carefully Regulus reached out, hand stopping mid air when he heard Sirius growl.

“I need to check him for injuries” Regulus said calmly. “I can’t see any tears in the back of his robes, can you?” 

Sirius automatically focused on the broad back stretched out on the ground, and carefully scanned along the full length of the well proportioned body. Regulus was doing the same thing, shoving all inappropriate thoughts into a small box in his head to be dealt with later.  “Nothing that I can see” said Sirius softly. 

“Can we turn him over and check the front?” Asked Regulus just as softly. 

Sirius nodded. Quickly Regulus untied the sash holding his robes closed and made a small pillow out of it. Together the brothers  rolled the prone body over so that James was facing the sky. Regulus winced. The beautiful face was covered in lacerations that went down past the collarbone. His robes were shredded across the chest. The clothes underneath no better. Exposing large rents in the smooth muscles below. 

“Holy Merlin.” Whispered Sirius. “What diabolical spell did this.”

“Snape.” Growled Regulus, angrier than he had ever been in a life full of fury. 

Sirius blanched at the venom in his brother’s voice. Even Warburga had never sounded like that.  “What can we do?” He asked, refusing to acknowledge his nerves. 

Regulus pullled a pouch out from his inside jacket pocket and rifled through it. Sirius watched in fascination as Regulus removed potions and cloths from a small black bag. 

Regulus looked at his brother, meeting the clear gray-blue eyes with his own silver ones. “I need you to promise that you will do everything I ask without question. This will not be pleasant for any of us, but I think I can save his life.” He said. ‘He probably won’t be nearly as pretty, unless he has an amazing healer.’ He thought sadly. 

Sirius nodded. This was a side of Regulus he had never seen before. In his memory Regulus was still a little kid who followed him everywhere, who looked up to him and listened because he was in charge. Now Regulus was all grown up. Possibly even taller than him, which Sirius refused to consider, and the one in charge.  Regulus, the brother who hated him, who was now going to save his best friend’s life. “You tell, I’ll follow.” He said quietly.  

The brothers worked for what felt like hours. Regulus had recast the protective spell twice so no one would approach them. Slowly, carefully, Regulus knit bones, sinew and muscle together using potions and spells. His naturally pale face took on a grey-green sheen as he poured energy into his work. Never once stopping as James screamed and thrashed despite being unconscious through the whole thing.  Sirius, true to his word, followed every instruction, and watched with fascinated horror as Regulus fought to save rather than take a life. 

Eventually Regulus sat back and wiped the sweat from his brow. Eyes fixed on the beautiful face before him. “You better fucking live Jamie or I’ll kill you myself.” he muttered. Honey-brown eyes fluttered open. A weak smile. A whispered “hold you to it”, and James passed out again.  Regulus blinked and it took another moment before he could look up at his brother. 

“Merlin, Godric and Rowena, that was amazing Reggie.” Sirius said awestruck. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Black magic.” Regulis replied wearily “Black family magic” he amended seeing Sirius face turn thunderous. “Have you ever wondered why magic comes so easily to you? You probably never really needed to study at school and still get top marks. And if you want something, or somebody, badly enough you generally get it. Also the weather tends to get stormy when you’re extremely angry and sunny when you’re extremely happy” 

Sirius looked perplexed “Not really. Just thought I was smart and lucky and it’s England so the weather is always changing.” 

Regulus resisted the urge to look at James. “Oh you are smart. Very in fact. But it’s more than that. The Noble and Ancient House of Black have the ability to harness more magic than most. Only direct descendants of the first Black, who really did work with dark magic to achieve his goals, can harness the additional well of power.” He paused as Sirius’s face paled. “No. Not Mother. I’m not sure we would still be alive if she could. Bella and Andy though. Luckily for all of us Bella doesn’t realise what she can do.”

“How did you find out?”

Regulus raised an eyebrow. 

“Oh. Yeah. Library.” Sirius chuckled as he said “Safest room in that miserable house.” 

“Indeed.” Regulus turned his gaze back to the young man lying between them. “As loathsome as I am to leave, I’d best get back to being the bad guy. Lupin will be fine. It was a simply stupify and he hit his head when he fell.  Potter should recover. He managed to deflect the worst of Snape’s spell, and I’ve done the best I could to remove the poison and repair the damage. He will need to see a healer or three, and probably spend a bit of time in St Mungos.” He smiled wryly “I’d visit to make sure he’s okay but that probably wouldn’t go down too well.” 

“Why?”

“Why visit? Or Why save him at all?” 

Sirius nodded, almost shyly. Regulus took a steady breath “Because you love him. He is your brother. Your best friend. I will never allow anyone to take him away from you.” 

Regulus held his brother's gaze for a minute longer, then stood and strode away.  Once he reached the shadows he collapsed against a wall. ‘That was too too close.’ He thought, exhausted. ‘Far too close. But there’s still work to do.’

Outside his protected zone Regulus could hear the last of the fighting winding down. Sticking to the shadows he made his way to the centre square. Voldemort, Bellatrix and Malfoy were holding their own against five or six other wizards. Regulis casually cast a couple of disarming spells and blasted two of the wizards away from the fight into surrounding walls. 

“About time you joined us.” Malfoy growled, pain and exhaustion etched on his face.  

Voldemort glanced at them both, before blasting a third and fourth wizard into the sky. “Stop playing and finish them now Bella.” He ordered. 

Regulis almost grinned at the petulant look on Bella’s face. “But I’m having fun.” 

“Be that as it may, Regulus is here which means the order is gone. It’s time to finish.”

With a flick of her wrist Bella cast Arvada Kadavra and the two wizards she was fighting dropped dead to the ground. 

“Good” said Voldemort satisfied. “Back to the Manor.” And with a crack he was gone. Lucius smirked at Bella and vanished. Bella screamed before she too disappeared.  Regulus stared up at the sky. The clouds had gone. He saw his brother’s star and smiled. Then he too dispporated back to Malfoy Manor. 

—- 

It turned out to be a very long night.  Despite the Orders early arrival Voldemort was pleased to be able to demonstrate his power and that of his followers.  Only ten death eaters slain or captured, while the Order lost twice that many. An excellent result. Dimly Regulus wondered if Voldemort orchestrated the timing to highlight his own prowess. It certainly seemed in keeping with his narcissistic tendencies. Ultimately Regulus didn’t care. Evan and Barty had made it back. Both looked flushed and pleased with themselves. Unfortunately Avery, Mulciber and Lestrange had managed to escape capture. Ah well. Next time hopefully. Snape was nowhere to be seen but Regulus was sure he’d turn up again. He always did.  

When the self congratulations finally finished Regulis made to leave when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned slowly a wordless spell ready to go if needed. Seeing Voldemort so close did not ease the tension running through him. 

“A word before you leave.” Though framed as a request the order was clear. 

“Certainly My Lord.”

Together they walked back into a small comfortably furnished parlour near the front door.  

“I want you to tell me your version of tonight’s battle” Voldemort said without preamble when they were both sitting in armchairs facing each other. 

“As you suspected, there is a high probability of a traitor in our midst.” Regulus kept his tone neutral and his mind focused on the relevant elements of the battle. He could feel Voldemort’s probing. Hours of practice meant that his shields held and Voldemort would think he had got what he wanted. “I arrived at the appointed time and did a full sweep of the town. I saw five maybe six members of the order that I recognised including Shakkelbolt and Longbottom, and another dozen or so that I did not. They were all hiding within spell distance of where you planned our entrances.  As instructed I left them undisturbed. I also stayed on the outskirts of the battle monitoring the interactions of our side to see if anyone showed any favouritism. From what I saw 

Avery and Mulciber do everything together and attack without thought let alone  planning. They got stupified at some point during the battle as I saw them collapsed in a street some distance from the centre. Both Lestranges look out for each other which is to be expected, and took out several minor wizards. Rosier Senior likes to go rogue and attacks from rooftops which could be useful. Certainly it worked in his favour taking out another couple of order members until he got trapped amongst some chimneys and captured. He’s lucky to be alive. Carrow, Burke, Nott and Parkinson acted true to form. Which is to say with no imagination or finesse and made little impact, often finding themselves needing to run away to save their own skins. Snape has a massive grudge against certain members and took down two or three of them. Rowle and Selwyn stayed at the edges and disappeared the moment they thought they could get away with it.  Cowards.” Regulus smirked. “They won’t be feeling well tomorrow.  Travers was the only other name of note to get captured. The rest were low ranking front line fodder who know nothing beyond tonight’s attack and some general mis-information .” His report finished, Regulus stood patiently. He could still feel the pressure in his head as Voldemort searched for gaps and got frustrated when he found none. 

“A very comprehensive report. Any thing you may have missed?” Voldemort asked coldly 

“My Lord?” Regulus queried 

“You were several minutes late to our rendezvous, and covered in blood.” 

Regulis let out a small chuckle “My apologies My Lord. I got distracted watching Rosier take on and play with a young wizard who then exploded in front of me. The imperious curse can be very amusing.” 

Voldemort narrowed his eyes “Lestrange said he saw someone in the shadows also watching Rosier’s antics, but they disappeared when he went to help his comrade. Is there a reason why you didn’t stop to help?”

“I realized I was late as I saw Lestrange move out of his hiding place and trusted that he would be enough to keep Rosier from being captured. I admit that was an incorrect assumption and apologise for not going to help.” Regulus met Voldemort’s gaze. 

“You are right of course. Lestrange should have been able to get Rosier and himself away, instead he chose to save his own skin.” Voldemort broke eye contact and pulled a small folded piece of parchment from beneath his robes. “My list of suspects. I want to you watch and report back on each of them. You don’t have to go out of your way to interact, as these are all people that you see on a regular basis.” 

Regulus took the parchment “I assume you have someone watching me as well.” He said boldly. 

Voldemort thin lips twitched. “Very good young Black.  While you are one of my most trusted followers, no one escapes scrutiny. You may leave. I have much to do to confirm the next attack.”

Regulus stood and bowed his head, his mind still tightly shielded against any probing. “Good night My Lord” he said deferentially and left the room. 

The next few weeks past in a blur as Regulus followed orders, improvised judiciously, and reported back on the activities of various families.  All the busy-ness gave him no opportunity to visit Pandora and Kreacher until the  beginning of summer. 

A mess of frustration and exhaustion Regulus collapsed on the couch in the front parlour. “I need to find that lake Kreacher” he said tiredly. “I was hoping to find another way but Voldemort’s paranoia is growing exponentially.” 

Kreacher said nothing. 

“From what little Kreacher has told me the place is very dangerous and only your orders allowed him to leave.” said Pandora quietly. 

“I can’t let you Master. It is not at all safe for you.” Kreacher said standing as tall as he could. “You saved me. I cannot send you to die.”

Regulus closed his eyes briefly before meeting Kreacher’s gaze. “Please Kreacher.  We need to stop this madman before he destroys everything. More and more muggles and wizards are dying because two selfish old men won’t agree to disagree and must be in control. I need to find and burn the locket. And soon or I’ll be lost as well.” He took the tea Pandora offered him. “I’m going to start getting careless I’m so tired.” 

Pandora studied him, peering through the glamour Regulus kept in place even now. The once bright eyes had dulled with heavy bruises beneath them. Never much more than skinny, he was almost skeletal. She worried he would not be strong enough for what was to come.  

“How about we make a deal.” She said. Regulus and Kreacher nodded slowly. “Regulus, you rest and eat here for five days in a row and on the sixth day Kreacher will take us to the place where the locket can be found.”

She held up a hand and turned to each of them. “I can see through the glamour Reg. You’re burnt out. Kreacher, your Master needs to complete this task. It is his destiny.” 

Regulus dropped his head back against the couch. “Done. I’m going to start now. Pandora please wake be before dawn. I have to be at Malfoy Manor an hour after sunrise and if I can sleep without a potion that will be wonderful.” 

“And on the sixth day I will take you to that place.” Kreacher added. 

“Thank you.” Said Pandora and led Kreacher out into the garden to pick some herbs. 

The Cave

True to their agreement six days later Kreacher took Regulus to where he’d been abandoned by Voldemort some weeks earlier.  Regulus looked around him. They were standing on a loose shoal and pebble beach at the base of a sheer cliff. The sea was rough, and the sky filled with rain laden grey clouds which hid the morning sun. Other than the angry pounding of the waves against the shore there were no sounds of life. ‘A desolate place.’ Regulus thought. 

“Where to from here?” He asked, loathe to break the eerie silence. 

“Just past the rocks you’ll find a shallow opening. Follow the passage and it will take you where you need to go.” Kreacher whispered fearfully. 

“Thank you Kreacher. You may go back to Pandora or stay out here if you prefer. I will not ask you to come into the cave again. If I have not returned to the house by dark, I’ve asked Pandora if she will be your Mistress or you may find someone else more to your liking.” Regulus swallowed as Kreacher’s eyes began to fill with tears. 

“Kreacher will not leave Master. Master will return.”  

“If I make it out of this hunt alive, you will always have a place with me.” Regulus promised. 

With one last look at the elf, Regulus turned and made his way to fissure in the cliff Kreacher had told him about.  It was a tight squeeze to get through and led to a dark narrow passage. 

“Luminos” Regulus muttered holding up his wand. Nothing happened. ‘That’s annoying’ he thought. ‘Does explain why we arrived on the beach and not at the lake.’  Patting his pockets he pulled out a torch and switched it on, and immediately wished he hadn’t. To his left was a wall of smooth black rock, to his right the path crumbled down into endless darkness. The path underfoot seemed reasonably smooth but Regulus doubted that would last long so he took care as he slowly made his way through the passage. 

After almost thirty  minutes of watching where he placed his feet, scrambling over rockfalls and twice almost tumbling over the edge, Regulus found himself stepping out into a large cavern just as Kreacher had described it.  Still black water surrounding a tiny island with a plinth in the centre.  Like outside the cave of as eerily silent. As though all sound and joy had been sucked out. ‘mother would love this place’ Regulud thought as he moved cautiously around the safe of the lake looking for a way across. After a few minutes he found a chain snaking from a sturdy wooden pole into the water. He pulled on it and felt something heavy being dragged towards him. A small boat emerged from the darkness into the small pool of light cast by his torch. Encouraged, he continued to pull on the chain until the boat reached the shore. Securing his satchel and torch crosswise over his chest Regulus pulled himself over to the tiny island. He glanced once down at the water and flinched at the sight of pale figures floating just beneath the surface. He was sweating by time he stepped off the boat, which immediately turned to ice when he felt wave after wave of the darkest magic coming from a bowl on the plinth. 

“Merlin protect me” he whispered looking at the endless blue liquid and small cup beside the bowl. He took a deep breath, filled the cup and began drinking. 

‘Five. Six.’ It was getting harder and harder to keep drinking. His stomach had gone from pleasantly numb to dull pain to burning acid, and he was still only half way through.  

‘Eight. Nine.’ With one hand he hung onto the plinth. His head had exploded. His vision almost gone. Only two maybe three cups to go. 

Refusing to stop drinking or to fall over, Regulus finished the bowl of liquid and stared at the locket sitting at the bottom. ‘Salazar Slytherin’ he breathed. Fumbling, fighting nausea and the myriad of voices telling him how useless, worthless, pathetic, unremarkable he is, Regulus removed the locket with one hand and relaxed it with an identical one from his other hand. Concentrating all his considerable willpower, Regulus placed the locket inside a lined pouch and sealed it before pitting in a secure pocket. After listening to Kreacher describe the effects of the liquid, he had practiced doing the swap and securing the locket over and over so that no matter how befuddled his mind became his body would still follow orders. With a heartfelt sigh of relief that the horcrux was as secure as he could make it Regulus looked at the bowl again. It was already starting to fill. Somewhere in his mind he wondered if it had been doing this and it had become a race to drink faster than the bowl could produce the poison. 

‘Woah’ he wobbled. Stopping was worse than drinking. With nothing to focus on the world was spinning faster and faster. At some point he’d dropped his torch and now the only illumination was an eerie green light coming from the full bowl. 

“Fuck” he muttered into the silence. No echo. That was not comforting. He peers through the darkness. He could only just make out the chain and boat. With supreme effort he sank to the ground and began to pull the boat back towards him. His muscles screamed. The voices in his head laughed at how weak he was. He gritted his teeth. Almost there. With a snort of triumph Regulus grabbed the boat and hauled himself in. It wobbled violently. He stumbled, steadied, reached for the chain. And missed. 

‘Oh fuck.’ He thought as he hit the water. He was warmer than he expected. Then he started to sink and he began to freeze.  ‘This is not good’ he thought followed by ‘oh shut up’ to the voices laughing at him. With fascinated horror he watched as pale hands reached out for him, before his survival instinct kicked in and he started to struggle. Sharp claws gripping. Wet laughter. Clothes starting to tear. Slimy hands grasping his bare skin. Mad lidless eyes filling his vision. Lipless mouths meeting his. 

He screamed. 

“Kreacher. Get me out of here.” 

He pleaded. 

“It’s an order.”

He whispered.

“Jamie.”

The world went black. 

— 

Pandora stared at the lifeless body on her front doorstep and the soaking shivering house elf crouched beside it. 

“I’m sorry mistress. I didn’t know where else to go.” Kreacher said forlornly 

“That’s okay. Bring him inside. Maybe the Kringles will help today.”

It was close to a week before Regulus woke up. He was more exhausted than he’d thought possible. How long had he been fighting inferi? Where was he? Why was he still alive?  He lashed out as a hand reached for him. 

“Hush.” The voice was gentle “Regulus, it’s Pandora. Kreacher brought you to me. He saved you.”

Weakly Regulis turned his head. Siting quietly at the bedside were Pandora and Kreacher. “How long?” He croaked. 

“You’ve been here seven, maybe eight, days. You were in the cave for most of one.”

Regulus shuddered. He closed his eyes. They flew open again immediately. 

“Shhhh.  Drink this.” Pandora said and handed him a small bowl of clear broth. 

“Water?”

“Fairy broth.” Pandora smiled “better for you than simple water.” 

Warily Regulis accepted the bowl and sipped its contents. It tasted like warmth and sunshine. He could feel the effects spread through his body. He smiled weakly. “Fairy broth.” He said and slid into a deep, untroubled sleep.  

The next time regulus awoke he didn’t feel nearly as strung out. He was still weak, with arms and legs barely responding to his need to get out of bed. Suddenly there was a hand in his arm. He yelped. The hand sprung back. “Sorry Master. The mistress said you may need help getting out of bed and getting to the bathroom.”

Regulus looked guiltily at the house elf. “It’s ok Kreacher.  It would appear I’m more easily startled, and now like touch even less than before.” He shuffled into a sitting position and swung his legs over the edge before he continued “But your help would definitely be appreciated.” 

Regulis finished in the bathroom and made it back to bed without too much difficulty thanks the Kreacher’s support. He had just finished another bowl of fairy broth and was attempting some fairy bread when Pandora entered the room. She grinned happily. “You’re awake. And eating.” She said cheerily. 

“I would have thought that years of random starvation and sleep deprivation would have trained my body to need less of both, but apparently I’m wrong.” Regulus said wryly. 

“Oh it did.  What you’ve been through most recently is different so you’re having a much more normal reaction. This is good.” She cocked her head “The Fairies are pleased you like their food too. I added the sprinkles to cheer you up.” 

“Regulus offered her a weak smile. “Thank you. It worked. And thanks to the fairies as well.” He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I need to go back to work. My lack of presence is going to be awfully suspicious.” 

“Nothing to worry about there.” Pandora chirped brightly.  “Kreacher and I have taken care of everything.”

Regulus looked at her suspiciously.  She ignored it and continued “I attended a couple of meetings then a whole lot of people got violently ill and have been out of action for a few days now.”

“You what?” 

“I went to some meetings. You’re right. They’re really long. And boring. Voldey really really likes the sound of his own voice. And the rest are total sycophants. How do you stand it?” 

“By largely ignoring them.” He answered. “Back up to you attending meetings. How?  When? Just the large general ones or the inner circle ones? Please tell me you didn’t attend the family one.” 

“Don’t be silly. Of course I didn’t go to a family dinner.” She laughed. “That’s tomorrow night.” Regulus blanched “But it’s been cancelled due to illness.” 

Regulus exhaled in relief. “So how did you get away with being there. You kind of standout you know.” 

Pandora ran her hands through her long platinum locks. “I went as you. Poly juice potion and, do you remember the Polio-oplioy?” Regulus nodded “Well I finally worked out the spell and used that as well.” Pandora continued “so if anyone was suspicious, because I looked like you, even if I wasn’t quite disdainful enough or my voice wasn’t quite the right register - that took a couple of goes - they completely believed I was you. It was fun.” 

Regulus barked out a laugh. Beautiful, elegant, unearthly Pandora, was his complete opposite in every way. “And the poisoning?” 

“Kreacher helped. He has friends and relatives in most of the houses so we very carefully put tiny amounts of arsenic in all meals. This meant that random wizards got sick and healing times vary depending on when and where they consumed food. You got a particularly nasty bout a couple of days ago and have retreated to your flat to heal.” 

“Won’t most people use potions to get better quickly?” Regulus asked

“We thought of that. The house elves have been asked to lace food for fourteen days.”

“And they agreed?” 

“Most. Not all, but that’s okay because it makes this uncommon disease more random.”

Regulus turned to Kreacher who stood quietly beside the door. “Why would the elves help?” He asked 

“Because Master is kind to all elves, not just Kreacher. Most wizards ignore us or treat their house elves very badly. We can’t leave. Indeed to not have a place is a disgrace. However sometimes it is good to remember that we also need to be treated with respect and kindness.” 

“My mother?” He wondered 

Kreacher lowered his head, then raised it to meet Regulus’s gaze. “She was kinder in her youth. She saved Kreacher from disgrace. Kreacher will never forget.” He said simply. 

A wave of sadness washed through Regulus. He wished some of that kindness had remained long enough to include her children. He gave himself a mental shake. Walburga was not important. “Thank you both.” He said. “Kreacher, when all this is over, please thank your friends and relatives. If we can take down Voldemort, they will have played a part in our success.”  

 A comfortable silence filled the room as Regulus went back to nibbling on his fairy bread. The sprinkles were weird and kept getting stuck in his teeth. ‘What on earth inspired this combination.’ He thought dislodging another tiny piece of crunchy coloured sugar. Bread finished it was time to get back to business. 

“Any chance my jacket made it back with me?” He asked, jolting Pandora back from wherever she had gone. 

“Here Master.” Preacher said and handed him a nearly folded packet of what looked like scraps of black cloth. 

Regulus took them, horrified at how torn everything was. He shuddered uncontrollably as he remembered feeling sharp claws and slimy hands upon his body. With great effort he forced his mind back to the present. He hadn’t dared to examine his body yet. A quick glance in the bathroom mirror had shown that his face was unmarked, as were his hands and wrists. His feet had a few healing scratches, but he hadn’t gone any further than that. Time for a full examination when he could stand up unaided. ‘Focus on the now. Focus on the future. Focus on the things you can control. Focus on what you can change. Focus on the good. Focus on the Now.’ He chanted silently. It was something he had learnt with Sirius from Andromeda one summer when punishments had become particularly cruel. 

Carefully Regulus unwrapped the bundle of cloth searching for the inner pocket and sealed pouch. His shirt was completely shredded. The arms and buttons missing from his jacket. The legs of his trousers reduced to ribbons. Once again he could feel hands and claws sliding under his cloths and raking across his back and chest. ‘Stop.’ He growled. Voices laughed viciously. ‘Nooo’ they echoed. 

“Reg. Regulus. Come back.” Pandora’s voice cut through the laughter. Warmth. Kindness. 

He gasped. “Oh. This is not going to be fun.” He said shakily. “Somewhere in this bundle there is a reinforced pocket. In that a pouch. In the pouch, the locket. I need you to look for it. Right now it’s sending me back under the water with the Inferi.” 

Pandora’s eyes widened. “So that’s what was in there. Oh dear.” She breathed. “This is going to take longer than I thought.” 

Regulus was too tired to question what ‘this’ was, so he kept quiet.  

“Found it.” A triumphant voice broke through his sleepy musings.  He opened his eyes to see Pandora holding up an undamaged pocket and pouch. “A miracle given the state of the rest of your clothing.” She looked at them thoughtfully. “I think it’s time to burn them. You?”

“Absolutely. Should we check this is the right locket and not a decoy?”

“Probably. I mean I know, but you won’t rest until you’ve confirmed it.” said Pandora airily. 

As much as wanted to trust her, Regulus knew Pandora was right. Casting all the charms and spells they had used on the previous horcruxes, Wave after wave of dark magic raged against all the shields placed around the object. Remaining calm and focused, Regulus removed the locket from the pouch and opened it. Staring back him were the faces of Salazar Slytherin and a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Tom Riddle. 

“She’s quite beautiful. I wonder who he killed to turn this one.” Pandora said. 

Despite himself, Regulus chuckled. You could never truly predict how Pandora would react to any situation. “At a guess, this is his mother, and his victim could have been anyone.”

“Fair. Now can we burn everything?”

“Certainly “ Regulus replied “Kreacher could you please help me down to the garden.” 

And so the three of them slowly made their way to the protected hollow they had created to destroy each horcrux with fiendfyre.  The grisly task completed. Regulus, Pandora and Kreacher sat on the grass staring at the evening sky. As always Regulus found Sirius and silently said hello.  

“Do you think that’s the last one?” He asked in a small voice. 

Pandora shook her head. “No. There is one more.”

Regulus sighed. “Any idea what or where?”

“No. All I see is darkness and no timelines” Pandora’s voice took on a dreamy cadence and eyes went blank  “Future and past collide. Two sides of an ocean. Distance and distraction. Death and destruction. Despair to be overcome. The devil overthrown.” She cocked her head  “Was that helpful?” She asked. 

“Not particularly.” Regulus’s continued to stare at the sky “Guess we’ll work it out when the time comes. 

March 1980

The next few months passed in a blur. Pandora left for the continent to study more nature magic. Regulus missed her dreadfully. Kreacher had stayed at the cottage and would provide food when Regulus dropped by, but he couldn’t provide the calm or wise counsel that Regulus desperately needed. As a result Regulus spent most of his ‘down’ time in the flat he had set up just off Dagon Alley, only going back to Grimwald Place when summoned. He longed to join Pandora on her travels, to learn magic that wasn’t steeped in death.  But he was part of Voldemort’s most trusted advisors. An expert on potions and healing. And death. He was expected to be available whenever and wherever Voldemort demanded. 

Between the endless workload to keep up with Voldemort’s increasingly violent campaigns against the rest of wizarding Britain, and the nightmares of being raped and drowned by the infirni, Regulus was lucky to get more than two or three hours of sleep a night.  He’d tried taking sleeping draughts but found that he needed more and more just to get to sleep and then wouldn’t be alert enough when he got an urgent summons to attend the dark lord. 

‘Insane dark lord.’ Regulus thought as he pulled on clean robes. He’d been woken from a mercifully dreamless sleep by one of the Black family owls stabbing his chest with her beak and dropping a shoe on his head. 

“What does that man want now?” He asked the owl who was sitting on the window sill cleaning her feathers. “Shouldn’t you be heading home?” She looked at him reproachfully. “I’m not sure you deserve a treat. I was finally having a decent sleep when you interrupted. And dropping the shoe on my head. I thought I trained you better than that.” Again the reproachful look. Regulus sighed. He must have been really asleep. “Ok.” He said giving the owl some dried fruit from a box he kept just for her. “Take care Beau.” With a soft hoot and small nudge the owl took the offering and flew off onto the night.  Regulus looked out the window, a few clouds drifted high in the late evening sky. He thoughts drifted to his brother and wondered what he was doing on this clear spring night. Something fun he was sure. Maybe a party. The Gryffindors and Ravenclaws often competed for the best party of the term. Regulus wouldn’t know who won as he rarely attended them unless Pandora dragged him along to assess whoever she had seen in a vision. He smiled. Her crushes were as whimsical as she was and never seemed to last long, though sometimes they were reciprocated. 

Regulus sighed and cleared his mind. It wouldn’t do to be thinking of Pandora or Sirius and his friends when going to wherever he was going.  A focused breath. And another. His mind stilled. Shields went up. Glamour dropped into place. Regulus grabbed the shoe and found himself transported to a large hotel in the centre of London. 

It was swarming with people wearing formal muggle clothing as well as those who looked like they were returning from successful shopping trips. 

“What on earth is going on?” A familiar voice said. 

“Lucius dahling, do learn to read.” Answered an even more familiar voice.  

Regulus winced internally. If Malfoy and  Bellatrix were here then so were Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, probably Rosier Senior, and possibly Snape who had worked his way closer to the top with his flare for potions. Unless events were being held at Malfoy Manor Narcissa, Orion and Walburga stayed as far away as possible. Easier to stay alive and be involved from the shadows.  

“The Baron and Baroness Hughes invites you to the wedding feast of Stephanie Hughes to the Right Honorable Desmond George.” said Regulus smugly causing Malfoy to swing round wand at the ready. “Careful Malfoy, don’t want the muggles to get the wrong idea.”

“Like the robes aren’t a dead giveaway.” Malfoy said snarkily. 

“We’re academics at a University dinner.” Regulus’s pointed to another sign. “Come, the dark lord awaits us.”  He met Bella’s quizzical look with a quirk of his eyebrow.  “You lot have no imagination. He’s not exactly going to put a big sign up that says Death Eaters killing starts 8pm on the third floor is he?” 

Beatrix giggled. “Oh Cuz you’re good” and grabbing his arm led Regulus up the stairs leaving Malfoy to follow behind.  

The room they entered was filled with Death Eaters. Regulus let Bellatrix drag him to the front of the room until they were standing beside rest of the inner circle. Glancing at the faces around him, he saw that they were all as baffled as he was, though some were hiding it better than others. Regulus turned to look at Voldemort standing on a small stage before them all and suppressed a shiver at the pure malevolence emitting from him. It was as dark as the last horcrux he’d destroyed. Voldemort’s once handsome features had contorted into a caricature of humanity with greying skin stretched over a thin layer of flesh and then bones.  Regulus glance at Bellatrix who stood gazing at the dark lord with such adoration it made Regulus feel sick. Her husband wasn’t any better.  Malfoy and Snape had their usual sneers in place, while Rosier Senior, Evan and Barty all looked more curious and keen to wreak havoc. ‘Was he the only sane one in this Merlin forsaken place.’ He banished the thought. Too dangerous in this company. Voldemort open his mouth to speak, his voice laced with mesmir and command.  

“Welcome my followers. I have gathered you here for the ultimate showdown against witches and wizards who lead those who oppose us. My informant has told me that tonight the Order and the Ministry are gathering here to finalise their plan to finish this war in their favour.  Why here you may ask. It is because they foolishly believe we would not attack so public a place.” An evil chuckle escaped him and was echoed by more than a few in the room. “They were wrong. Very wrong “ Voldemort paused and looked over the crowd. Fifty wizards and witches stood cheering and chanting “Dark Lord. Dark Lord. Dark Lord.” He held up a hand and silence descended once more. “This is our time. Our time to wipe out the half bloods and the mudbloods and those who embrace them. Time to assert the rightful power and supremacy of the pureblood who are bred to lead. I will lead you into this future. Where our schools will be untainted and magical muggles no more.” 

The crowd erupted. This is what they had been fighting for. Bellatrix was jumping and screaming. Malfoy and the Lestranges were grinning wildly. Regulus could not bring himself to cheer let alone simply grin in triumph. Luckily for him any display of emotion would be completely out of character so his lack of enthusiasm was overlooked. The only other person he could see not going nuts at the thought of ruling Britain’s wizarding world was Snape. He still looked like he’d swallowed a bushel of bitter lemons and pixie piss. A thought, which Regulus had suspected for a while, darted across his mind. He filed it away for later. Too dangerous to dwell on anything right now. 

Voldemorts hand went up. The room went silent. “Tonight you will divide into your groups under the command of one of my lieutenants” he paused as the seven members of the inner circle stepped forward. “Each lieutenant has a specific objective. You are to follow them as you would with any battle.  There will be casualties. We accept this and it will make us stronger. Lieutenants to your places. Tonight. We. Will. Win!” 

The room erupted again. Wizards and witches scrambled to get to their appointed leader. Nothing was going to stop them. 

With a nod to his fellow lieutenants Regulus made his way to one side of the stage. There had been a briefing a few days before when Voldemort had confirmed an attack would take place, though not where or when, and who would play what role, as his increasing paranoia meant that no real information was divulged to the inner circle as a whole. Each person knew only what they needed to know and no more. For Regulus that meant he knew his group was last line of defence and first line of replacements. 

When going through ideas over the previous weeks, Regulus had suggested that the final battle needed to be public and definitive in a wizard only town or at the ministry itself. He hadn’t expected it to be in central London and with so many muggles involved. Others had suggested continued chipping away at the Order with small scale raids and battles until they collapsed and the ministry could be taken over completely from within. However Regulus had seen how the past four years of constant battles, attacks, raids, scheming, and death had drained resources, and followers on both sides were starting to drift away. Knowing that each side had a traitor in their midst was also making him more uncomfortable as time wore on. He did not want to be discovered playing his own game, especially when he suspected that there was still a final horcrux out there.  

It didn’t take long for all the groups to gather. Simple logic told Regulus how this would go. The ministry and senior order members were gathered in the larger conference room on the second floor. Death Eaters would be stationed to enter at both doors of the room at the same time, while other groups would guard the lifts and stairs as well as be on the floors above and below to cut off retreat.  One group would be stationed outside to attack the balcony and take care of any witches or wizards who somehow managed to escape the assault.  Regulus and his group would be on the first floor to provide support, potions or healing as required. ‘It’s going to be a bloodbath’ Regulus thought ‘And only Merlin knows how many muggles are going to get caught in this level of insanity. Not that the dark lord cares. He likes muggles as frightened sheep.’ He stared blankly as the wizards cast silencing and cloaking spells and slipped out to their assigned positions. 

A soft slithering sound caught Regulus’s attention. Voldemort was making his way across to where he stood with his group of portioneers and healers. Snape had asked for a group that would be part of the action and so was stationed further along the corridor. Regulus didn’t mind. Less people to distract or wipe if required. 

“Black.” The voice was more sibilant than usual Regulus noted though he didn’t react to it. 

“My Lord.” Regulus bowed his head slightly before meeting Voldemort’s narrowed eyes. 

“I have an additional task for you tonight. I have unearthed the traitor in our midst.” Voldemort paused, 

Regulus remained indifferent under the external scrutiny and mind probe he felt

“That is good news My Lord.  How can I serve?” Hr asked

“You will get rid of him. Do you know to whom I refer?” The question was almost snarled

“I have my suspicions, as I have reported to you.” Regulus replied calmly, shields still firmly in place, and allowed Voldemort to see glimpses of Snape, Rabastan and Rosier Snr who had eventually escaped the Order after the village attack. 

“I want all three gone before the night ends. Whether they die in battle or by your hand I do not care, but they will not be by my side when we win.” Voldemort’s ga e bored into Regulus “Do you understand?”

“Yes My Lord.” Regulus dropped his head. The obedient servant. And watched as Voldemort moved away, accompanied by the soft slithering sound. 

The attack was brutal. The moment Voldemort gave the word additional anti-apporation wards were activated preventing anyone with magical abilities to leave the hotel, including muggles who had dormant magic and had received no training. Regulus and his team were in constant demand to bring potions and herbs to the different groups. At one point Regulus found himself in the conference room. Bella was screaming with laughter, Rudolphus was screaming with rage. Both were standing guard over the body of Rabastan who lay crushed under a fallen piece of ceiling. There was debris everywhere. Huge chunks of the ceiling had collapsed, walls, windows and doors had been blasted apart in all directions. People were trying to take refuge behind upturned furniture only to find themselves pinned down by shards of sharp wood and plaster. Dozens of bodies lay amoungst the wreckage. Some with death eater masks still on, others with their masks ripped off, and many without masks at all. Regulus felt his anger rise. So much waste on both sides, but he refused to look too closely at those not identifying as a death eater. He didn’t want to know if his brother was foolish enough to have been at this pointless meeting.  The corridors were not much better. Hotel patrons and wedding guests were all trying to flee, many getting caught in the crossfire of attacks and counterattacks. 

 Moving carefully though the chaos, Regulus listened to reports of those assigned to him. The death eaters were winning. The death eaters were losing. The dark Lord was invincible. The dark Lord was everywhere.  At one point Regulus stumbled upon the body of Rosier Snr lying sprawled in a stairway. It looked like he’d broken his neck falling down stairs. ‘Typical.’ Regulus thought ‘Evan will probably laugh about this if we both manage to survive.’ 

Regulus himself was cut and battered. He’d avoided engaging directly in any of the fighting except to defend himself where necessary.

‘Two down. One to go. I wonder where Snape is?’  Regulus thought as he headed for the hotel foyer.  It was the agreed meeting point when the lieutenants felt their mark burn. He was curious to see who had made it out before that happened. Because the wards were only for those with magic in their blood, most of the muggles had managed to escape.  He noticed people standing in the middle of the road near vans with large letters and numbers on them.  The muffled left in the foyer were in various states of distress from anger to disbelief to fear to sorrow. Hidden in the shadows, he listened in to some of the nearby conversations. 

“Oh my god. News reporters. That’s all I need.”

“They’re saying it’s a terrorist attack.  The IRA most likely, though no one’s claimed responsibility yet.”

“Fuckin terrorists.”

“A beautiful wedding ruined. Poor Steph. She’ll be devastated.”

“Des is furious. He’s such a control freak.”

“Knew we shouldn’t have come to London. Nothing good ever happens here.  Why didn’t we go to Spain like normal this year? It’s all your fault Bertha.”

“My fault. You insisted on a city adventure. I wanted sunshine and cocktails on the beach. Brendon.” 

Regulus struggled not to laugh at that one. Those two were going to hate each other for the rest of their lives but tell their friends what an amazing time they had and how they were in the thick of the drama. If they made it out.  

He lost track of time as he stood and watched. His group were dead or in hiding. He didn’t much care.  Slowly the muggles around him began to trickle out. The wards were failing. He saw Malfoy and Lestrange slink into the edge of the room. They looked very much worse for wear.  Bellatrix bounced up behind them looking disheveled and still grinning like a maniac. 

“This has been so much fun. Don’t you think so darling?” She coooed as she kissed her husband’s dirt smeared cheek. “How many did you kill Lucius?”

“I didn’t keep track.” Malfoy said snarkily. “Why? Are there prizes for the most killed? The most creative use of forbidden curses? Most blood on your clothes and dirt in your hair?”

“Now now Lucius. Don’t be bitter. I win all of those.” Beatrix’s laugh rang out across the space and caused a number of heads to turn towards the three filthy robed figures.  

“The academics seem to have born the brunt of it.” One finely dressed woman said  to her companion as she hobbled past Regulus. 

‘You have no idea’ thought Regulus, content to stay where he was. The foyer was almost empty of muggles, and the last of the death eaters had begun to gather in different parts of the space. 

“The battle is done. The surviving order members and ministry personnel disapparated as soon as the wards started to fail.” Malfoy responded tersely 

“So what happens now?” Lestrange asked. 

“We wait for the Dark Lord. He will know.” 

With the last of the muggles out of the hotel, Regulus cast a silence spell around the room and stepped out of the shadows. “First we account for who is still here - alive or dead, . Then we determine who is missing.” He said ignoring the baffled and annoyed looks he received. “From that we can determine our numbers and if we won this debacle or not.” 

“And who do you think you are?” Lestrange took a menacing step forward his face suffused with rage. 

“I’m Lord Black.” Regulis answered calmly. 

“No you are not. You are his whelp. His spare.” Lestrange said 

“As of this afternoon, I am Lord Black.”  Said Regulus and held up the family signet ring.  

Bellatrix gasped and then screamed with laughter. “Oh Rudolphus, little cuz well and truly out ranks you now.”

Lestrange snarled menacingly and stepped into Regulus’s space . “Not in the eyes of our Dark Lord and that’s all I care about.” 

Regulus shrugged. “Everyone gather here now.” He said and turned his back on Lestrange, Bellatrix and Malfoy. For all of their posturing knew they wouldn’t touch him. Not without Voldemort’s permission anyway.  “Report” he said to the young witch in front of him once they were all gathered together. 

“Hmm. Sixteen here. Twenty-eight accounted for as definitely dead. Six missing. Correct?” He concluded. Twelve pairs of eyes stared at him, a mix of awe, dock and confusion.  They nodded. ‘So much for winning’ he thought absentmindedly. “And our enemy?”

“Seven order members and fourteen maybe fifteen ministry members lay dead in the room.” Malfoy said coming to stand beside Regulus. 

‘Oh you’re good.’ Thought Regulus ‘Always hedging your bets.’

“Thank you Lucius. What about elsewhere?” 

“I saw another three near the first floor stairs. Don’t know if they were Order or ministry though.” answered an older witch Regulus recognised from the potions lab. 

“There are also at least a dozen muggles lying scattered on the different floors.” sneered a mean looking wizard from the back of the group. 

“Pity there aren’t more of them.” Muttered his companion. Regulus ignored him but filed their faces away for retribution later. 

“So that’s at least 44 of ours to maybe 25 of theirs.” Regulus looked around at the grimy faces. “Don’t suppose anyone saw the Dark Lord as they escaped the fighting?” He asked as though an after thought. 

Beatrix blanched. “Oh Merlin.” She breathed. 

Regulus spared her a glance. ‘She really does actually care about him.’ He gave himself a mental shake. Best not go there. “No matter.” He said confidently and turned to Malfoy “Is the Minister of Magic accounted for?” 

“No. Most of those dead seemed to be middling and junior officials, with a few senior order members.” Malfoy responded. 

“In that case the Dark Lord will be chasing his quarry.  He had plans within plans and will call us to him when he is ready.” He paused. “For now disperse to your homes and remain on alert. The ministry will undoubtedly round up anyone known to have an association with our organisation regardless of whether or not they were involved with this attack.” Silence met him. “Go.” He ordered. “I cannot maintain this spell much longer and the muggles really need to get back in to sort out this mess.” A final look at the young man standing regally before them and most of the death eaters disappeared, leaving only the four of them. 

“And us Lord Black?” Lestrange sneered. 

Regulus stared at him for a long moment. “It’s your life Rudolphus. Take Bella home. Go to one of the suites upstairs and drink yourself more stupid on all the champagne in the fridge. Disappear to France forever. I don’t care.” He turned to Malfoy “Go be with Cissi Lucius. I’ve a feeling that’s probably the best place for plausible deniability when the Ministry comes calling.”

“And you?” Malfoy asked curiously 

“Oh, I’m travelling. Hard to get hold of these days.” Regulus said with a slight smile. It would be close enough to the truth if the Order ever caught up with him. 

With that Regulus dropped the silence and obscure spells, allowed the noise and chaos of the muggle world to penetrate the foyer and disappeared back to his flat. He had never been this exhausted in his life. And that was saying something. 

July 1980

Regulus yawned and stretched. It had taken close to four months but for the first time he awoke feeling like he had actually managed to get a decent amount of dreamless sleep. It felt odd. He looked at the body in bed beside him. ‘Ah. That makes sense.’ He thought.  ‘Best get a move on.’  Moving carefully he quickly gathered his clothes and put them on. 

‘Hmpf’ he thought, taking a last look at the long tanned limbs, and disapparated without a sound. 

“Morning Sleepyhead” Pandora chirped as he strode into the kitchen. “Good night?”

“It was interesting.” Regulus shrugged. “Please tell me we have coffee.”

“Three types. I went shopping while you were out.” She paused. “Did it work?”

Regulus didn’t say anything and made himself a strong black coffee. 

“It did didn’t it?” Pandora bounced gleefully in her seat. “The Kringleshacks will be so pleased.” 

Regulus smirked and sat down opposite her. 

Pandora squealed and threw herself across the table at him messing up the herbs she’d been sorting.  

“Ouch.” said Regulus as her head collided with his, and returned her hug. 

“Yes it worked. Three hours of blissful dreamless sleep. Best I’ve had for… I have no idea the last time I had that without potions or serious injury.”

“And the lead up?”

“The sex was okay. Nothing earth shattering but it provided a diversion and the necessary physical outlet which allowed me to sleep.” 

“Cold.” Pandora frowned. 

“Mostly steamy actually.” Regulus grinned. “Not sure I could do it very often, but maybe when the nightmares get too rough.” 

“So no follow up?”

“No. Too dangerous. Anyway we still have a horcrux to find.”

“Are you really sure? We’ve been looking for months.” 

“You’re the one with sight.” Regulus stopped at the hurt look on Pandora’s face. “That was mean. Yes I’m sure. Voldemort disappeared at some point during the battle, and while the Ministry are claiming he’s dead and the war is over, there was no sign of his body in the hotel before I left. I had my father check with his sources and Malfoy with the ministry to see if anyone took his body away with them, but there was so much chaos during the battle and paranoia afterwards that no one would say anything that might get them into trouble.”

Pandora nodded. “You said that when you joined me after that battle. I guess I was hoping things would have changed.” She paused then smiled brightly “You said you heard from your parents.” 

Regulus grimaced. “Yes. I’ve been summoned home for the official naming of Narcissa and Lucius’s son next month. I have a horrible feeling Mother has also decided I’ve had enough of a holiday and it’s time to get married and provide the next family heir.” 

“Learning nature magic and reading as many books as you can wherever we go is no holiday.” Pandora said sternly. 

“I agree. If I have to scrap my way through anymore snicks and snags and shocks and shux I’m going to have a whole new set of dreams to scream along to.” 

Pandora swatted his arm. “Hey. That’s not fair. They were helping us. And it worked.”

Regulus absentmindedly rubbed at his arm and gave her a puzzled look. 

“They led you to V” she said airily. 

Regulus chuckled. “Not the V we’re looking for, but probably the one I needed.” He finished his coffee and looked at his best friend. She had grown into a beautiful woman this year. Still ethereal and eccentric and yet more grounded than at school. He had missed her. 

“Stop it.” She said as she swatted his again. “You’re making me blush.”

“Can you blush?” He asked innocently “ouch.”

“I most certainly can. It’s harder to see with darker skin which does have its advantages” she trailed off. Regulus waited. He recognized the glaze sweeping across her face. “Oh. Well that’s going to be fun.” She said cryptically “And that isn’t.”  Pandora blinked. “Anything useful?”

Regulus shrugged “Something is going to be fun and something isn’t” he answered 

Pandora was silent for a few moments. “I’ll join you in England. I need to go back to the cottage for a couple of weeks. Kreachers been on his own too long.” She paused. “When do you need to be back?”

“Not until the end of August. Ceremony is September 1st. 88 days after the child is born. It’s a family thing. all newborns are given 88 days to decided their own fate. If they decide to live they become members of the family and part of the Black Family Tapestry.”  He watched Pandora face with amusement “Nope. No idea why it’s 88 days. It’s been years since the last ceremony. Andromeda's child didn’t count since she got kicked out of the family.” 

“In that case, let’s see how much we can get done in the next four weeks. I’m sure there’s still places we haven’t searched. Maybe V will turn up.” Pandora said cheerily. 

August 1980 

Regulus waited a moment to see if his father wanted to add anything else. Correctly assessing  the silent dismissal and uncomfortable at the thought of what was to still come, Regulus stood.  

“Thank you for your time Father. I will leave you to your peace and endeavour to smile politely at all to whom Mother introduces me.” He said, oddly pleased at the smile Orion produced. 

“You may tell me all about it in the morning. I’m sure it won’t be all that bad.  Good night Regulus.” Orion said and returned to his reports. 

Regulus quietly shut the door behind him and stood in corridor debating his next move. It was late. Pandora had not yet returned to her cottage and he wasn’t in the mood for Kreacher’s silent reproach. He also didn’t particularly want to stay here and deal with his mother’s insistence on a formal meal, even if he was hungry. 

‘Back to the flat it is.’ He thought. ‘I really hope I’ve some canned food.’  He didn’t. With a sigh he raided the last of his wizard money jar, grabbed some British pounds just in case, and put away the muggle money they’d been using in Europe. He was going to miss his alter ego. Chemist and explorer. A Rich kid with nothing but time and money on his hands. Pulling on his shabbiest coat, Regulus headed into Diagon Alley and hoped no one would recognise him. 

He was on his way back from dinner at an obscure restaurant when he heard the familiar voice. 

“Well if it isn’t the infamous Black slumming it with mere mortals.”

Regulus kept walking. He really really didn’t want to engage with anyone out here. 

“Oh you’re not a mere mortal, that would be far too grand for snivelling slug like yourself.” Another voice answered cheerfully. 

Regulus snorted and melted into the shadow of a nearby building. ‘This is going to be priceless.’ he thought as he turned to see Sirius and Snape squaring off in the middle of the street. 

“I’m what?” Snape snarled, wand already in hand. 

“Not a mere mortal.” Replied Sirius. Regulus knew that grin. Sirius was either bored or furious. “You’re a snivelling, belly crawling low life.” The grin grew bigger. He was furious. 

“Sirius. Enough.” Lupin’s low, calm voice cut through the still air before he came into view. 

“But Honey, he’s not a nice creature. Aren’t we supposed to dispose of slugs who ruin the garden.” Sirius said without taking his eyes off Snape. 

“Not this one.” Remus eyed Snape disdainfully “Even gardens need some weeds and slugs. They help us appreciate the flora and fauna more.”  

Sirius pouted. ‘How does he do that?’ Regulus thought ‘when I do it I look silly not .. urgh .. sexy.’ 

“Hey Snape. Want a hand putting down the dogs?” Sneered Mulciber strolling over. 

“I think it’s time for a rematch.” Added Avery a pace or two behind. 

“Don’t think Avery. Your brain cell might explode. Not that anyone would notice.” Came a sunny voice 

Regulus shut his eyes and immediately opened them. He hadn’t seen Potter since the village battle, now here he was looking at the very picture of health and vitality. Regulus hated him. Even with a tinge of colour and shoulder length curls after months outdoors with Pandora, Regulus still looked like death warmed up. ‘So not fair.’ He thought bitterly ‘Bet he doesn’t even get nightmares anymore.’ 

“You’re dog meat.” Avery grabbed his wand and pointed it at James. 

‘Oh bloody hell.’ Regulus prepared himself to step out of the shadows.

“Enough.” Lupin growled. Everyone froze at the controlled menace in the command . “Sirius, James, it’s time to leave. These three aren’t worth the trouble killing them would cause.” 

“Fair point.” James said and threw an arm around Sirius’s shoulders. “Come on Pads. We’re going to be late meeting the girls for a drink. Why did we come to Diagon Alley anyway?” 

“Needed a book,” Sirius mumbled as he allowed James to lead him away from the impending fight. 

“Apparently he’s taken up reading since the war ended.” Lupin chuckled. 

“Hey. Not fair. I’m always reading.” Sirius said cheerfully. 

“Quidditch mags and comics do not count.” Remus said 

“Do too”

“Do not”

“Do”

“Don’t”

Regulus sighed as the friends merged with the people heading for the Leaky Cauldron.  He wondered briefly what it would be like to have that level of camaraderie with others. But it was not him and never would be. He had Pandora. It wouldn’t last forever. He knew that. But it was enough. For now. 

October 1980 

‘These last few weeks have been a special kind of torture.’ Regulus decided as he collapsed fully dressed onto his bed in Grimwald Place.  

Tonight had involved yet another round of small talk and (attempted) flirting with the final two candidates proposed by his mother.  As promised, wife selection had started the night after Regulus returned from the continent. By the end of September Regulus had meet every eligible pure blood female between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. He hadn’t realised just how many there were. Most still in school too.  With very little input from him, other than to suggest that his future wife should be finished school so that an heir could be produced sooner, Regulus was content to let his mother fuss over the details.  Now he had to choose between Elsbeth Parkinson and Salseema Flint. 

Closing his eyes, Regulus ran through what little he knew of each of them. ‘At least neither of them are cousins. Maman must be furious. I’m about to dilute the family name.’ He thought and chuckled wearily. 

1. Elsbeth Parkinson. Lively, charming, clever. Takes no prisoners. Not a fan of my mother. It’s mutual. Family is mid-tier but has money, own business and excellent business connections. Father is a fan. 
2. Salseema Flint. Quiet, unobtrusive, also clever but doesn’t like to shine. Clearly mother’s favourite. Family connections limited in business though very active in the social community. Father less keen. 
3. Me. Regulus Black. Quiet, unobtrusive, brilliant, only takes prisoners when I need information and I release most, though rarely unharmed. Have a vendetta against my family. Need to find and destroy a horcrux so I can finally kill Voldemort and get on with my life. Wouldn’t know a full night's sleep, dreamless or otherwise, if it came and smothered me. As far as I can tell Mother doesn’t particularly like me. I think Father does. I’m one of the richest men in the wizarding world, even without inheriting my family’s fortune. Did I mention I’m properly brilliant. 

He snorted and sat up. Disrobing quickly, Regulus showered before crawling into bed. It was almost dawn, leaving him less than thirty-six hours before Walburga presented him with her decision.  Merlin help him. 

Some time later Regulus woke up screaming. Groaning he rolled over and looked at the muggle watch Pandora had bought him.  

“If you’re going to live in a muggle world you need to understand muggle time pieces.” She had said when he’d unwrapped the unexpected gift. 

“But we live in the wizarding world.” He’d responded. 

“Nope. You are joining me in my experiment. Muggle witchcraft.” She had said. “It’s basically nature magic practiced by muggles with a tiny spark and a lot of enthusiasm but not enough to get into any of the wizarding schools.” 

It had been interesting, when it had stopped being really confusing. And the watch had proven far more useful than casting a spell. 

7.52am. Less than two hours. ‘Great. Now do I get up for breakfast or try to get more sleep?’ Regulus mused closing his eyes in an effort to drift off. It didn’t work. Or at least that’s how it felt when he heard pecking at his bedroom window. Waving a hand he let in a small nondescript brown owl. “Morning Helena,” he mumbled, untying the note from the owl's leg and summoning a treat for her. With a nudge of thanks Helena took the treat and flew off. 

Regulus unfurled the pale green parchment. “What number?” He read. Pulling out a self inking quill he wrote 172 beside the question and watched as more words appeared. “That means we’re getting closer. Meet me at Harrod’s toy department. 2pm today. Ignore the clown.  He’s not important. And wear jeans.” 

Regulus shook his head. He had no idea what all that meant.

At 2pm precisely, wearing immaculate black jeans, a black button down shirt and highly polished black leather shoes, under an expensively tailored black overcoat, Regulus stood staring at a giant teddy bear wearing old fashioned (even for wizards) clothes. He was steadfastly ignoring all the curious stares. He knew he looked good - he’d seen his reflection in the various windows on the way here - he simply didn’t understand why so many people felt the need to stare. This was one of the many reasons he avoided public places. He wasn’t keen on people at the best of times, even after Pandora’s muggle-living experiment, and this was bordering on a whole new level of torture. Maybe next time he felt the need to torture someone he’d just make them go to Harrod’s and buy something for him. Another bump. He glowered. Hadn’t these people ever heard of personal space? 

“Hey Handsome. Buy me a drink?” 

“It’s a toy shop not a bar.” He snapped without turning around. 

“I wasn’t talking to you. I was asking the bear. He’s very bored.” 

Regulus looked over his shoulder. Pandora was wearing her favourite long lavender dress, complete with sun hat and sandals. His opposite in almost every way. 

“Will you marry me?” He asked spontaneously. 

“Oh Regulus. You know I would. But you’re not my destiny. And I’m not yours.” Pandora laugher and slipped an arm through his. 

He met her eyes and smiled sadly. “It was worth a shot. So, does handsome want to buy you a drink?”

“Says he’s on duty til midnight if I want to come back then.” Pandora looked thoughtfully at the bear. “Not sure we’ll be finished by then.” 

“Shopping?” Regulus asked 

“No. Not dying.” Pandora said breezily and dragged him towards more toys and people. “Come on. I need to find out where we’re going.” 

Regulus was ready to scream with frustration. If anyone so much as looked at him again, let alone touched him, he was going to set the place on fire. He’d tried casting a silence spell and a shielding spell and then a rebound spell but Pandora had promptly cancelled them. 

“Stop. You’re interfering with my location spell“. Eight departments later and still fuming, he crashed into Pandora. “Found it.” She said triumphantly. 

“Found what exactly?” Regulus questioned 

“Where we need to go next. And when.”

Regulus looked around confused. “Porcelain? How is that relevant?”

“You’ll see.” Pandora answered still chirpy. “Now let’s go have that drink”

Thirty minutes later were sitting in a quiet Kensington pub nursing a pint each. 

“Well?” Regulus asked, eyebrow raised. 

“What’s the date?” Pandora countered 

“24th October. It’s also a Friday. Other than I’m expected to announce my engagement at a family dinner tomorrow night, is it important?”

“I thought the final decision wasn’t being made til tomorrow night.” 

“Technically it isn’t, but Mother will have already invited both families on the understanding that only one will be staying for dinner.”

“Do you get a say in any of this?” Asked Pandora concerned by the utter coldness with which Regulus spoke. 

“Other than I’d prefer legal, not really.”

“But you ..” Pandora trailed off at the bleakness hiding behind the inscrutable facade. “Oh Regulus. They don’t know, do they?” 

Regulus shook his head. “Sirius can’t do what’s required so I must.” 

“But you’ll be miserable.”

“What’s new? The happiest I’ve been in a very long time is when we were living in France pretending to be muggles. And that includes categorising all my nightmares.”

Pandora reached out and took his hand. Regulus suppressed the instinct to draw away. Pandora was still the only one he allowed to initiate contact. “I’ll be fine Pan. Once my duty is done I’m sure we’ll be able to reach a suitable arrangement.”

Pandora kept hold of his hand and looked at the palm pensively. “We’ll see about that.” She said fiercely. 

Regulus lifted their joined hands and dropped a kiss on hers. Her protectiveness touched him more than he could say, so he decided to show her instead. She met his eyes astonished. “Who are you and what did you do with my emotionless marble Regulus?” She teased brightly, breaking the mood.  

“Why is today’s date important?” Regulus asked, bringing the conversation back around. 

“Oh Yes. It means we have less than a week until til the world ends.” Pandora smiled excitedly. “We need to go to Cornwall and confront the weird dark thing I keep seeing. Not sure what it is yet, but I’m sure we’ll work it out when we get there.” 

“Any chance it’s another horcrux? Still hunting them, remember?” 

“No idea. The frothlings were unsure. Anyway that's not the point. The point is we have to be in place before midnight on Saturday 25th October.” Pandora said happily. “So should I meet you at Grimwald  Place or your flat after breakfast in the morning?” 

“Pandora.” Regulus stared at her. “My entire future is being decided tomorrow night and you want me to simply disappear for goodness how long.”

“Ten days should do it.” She shrugged. “I don’t know exactly where we need to be so we’ll have to catch the train there. Unless you own a car and can drive?” 

Regulus shook his head. Pandora grinned. “I knew my muggle experiment would come in useful. Remind me to add learn to drive a car to my list of things to do.” 

Regulus sighed. There was nothing he could do now that Pandora had made a decision. And there was no way he was going to let his best friend go off by herself.  If he was honest with himself, Regulus was also glad to be able to avoid another uncomfortable social gathering to announce something he most definitely didn’t want. “My flat. What time after breakfast? I’ll need to find a plausible excuse for not attending Mother’s announcement.”

“Oh that’s easy. A mystery illness will take down a number of people. Would you like your mother included?”

Regulus laughed and drained his beer. “Absolutely. Another?” He asked standing up. 

The rest of the evening passed very pleasantly as Regulus and Pandora sipped beer, talked about herbs, and critiqued the Friday night crowd that descended on the pub. Eventually Regulus stood and held out a hand. “Come on. The bear will be off duty soon and you’re way too tipsy to be traipsing around town with such a handsome specimen.” 

Pandora grabbed his hand and wobbled to her feet with a laugh. “You’d best take me home then.” She said with a slight slur.

“Cottage or flat?”

“If I’m picking you up after breakfast then it had better be your flat. Hopefully Kreacher remembered to drop off my case.” 

“Am I that predictable?” Regulus asked, attempting to pout. 

“Not at all.” Pandora patted him on the cheek as they squeezed out onto the street. “I simply told Kreacher that if I wasn’t home by time the lilypoys went to bed then I’d probably end up staying with you for a while.” 

“You are incorrigible.” Regulus smiled as they turned into a quiet street. “Hold my hand and you can side along.”

“You can be really sweet sometimes. You’ll make a good husband one day. Just need to find you the right person.”