Chapter 10
Regulus looked around at the room he had lived in for the past month. It felt more like home than Grimmauld Place ever had. Regulus put his hand against the picture of him and James on the quidditch pitch. It felt like a lifetime ago. There were more pictures now. Treacle had somehow taken pictures of them once a day the whole last week Regulus was at Potter Manor.
Treacle appeared in Regulus’s room with a crack, “Treacle is here to take your trunk, young master. Treacle will always come when young master Regulus calls for her.”
Regulus smiled at the elf, “Thank you, Treacle.”
She disappeared with his trunk with a pop, leaving Regulus alone in his room once again. He rubbed the sun pendant hanging from his neck.
Regulus walked out of his room, leaving all the pictures on the walls. He had put copies in the two way journal he shared with Pandora. He wanted to leave his room the same, just in case.
James was waiting for him in the hall, “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“I wish Dorea could’ve extended the trip, but apparently Orion has plans that require me to be at Grimmauld Place,” Regulus replied with a groan. James took Regulus’s hand and kissed his palm. They walked towards the stairs together.
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
“When did you read Romeo and Juliet?”
James shrugged, “Remus says it to Sirius whenever they part ways. It felt fitting.”
Regulus barked out a laugh, “Have you ever read a book in your life?”
“Hm. Probably.”
James paused before they walked down the stairs, “I’ll see you again when we get back to Hogwarts. Promise me that you’ll meet me in the seventh floor corridor before curfew.”
“I promise, but we can’t get caught.”
James grinned, “We won’t.”
They walked down the stairs and Regulus saw that Effie, Flea, and Dorea were all waiting by the front door.
Euphemia Potter pulled Regulus into a hug that only a loving mother could give, “I will always be a letter away if you need anything at all, Regulus.”
Fleamont put a hand on Regulus’s shoulder after Effie let him go, “You’re gonna do great things with that mind of yours, son.”
Regulus smiled at everyone in the room. He had never felt so loved than he had while staying with the Potters. He finally understood why Sirius had left him for them. He would’ve made the same choice if had the option.
“Thank you all, for everything,” Regulus said quietly. Dorea pulled them all into a hug. Regulus heard James laugh softly. They all pulled apart a moment later.
“Are you ready, Regulus?” Dorea asked him softly.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, Aunt Dorea.”
Kreacher ushered Regulus to his room after Dorea brought him back to Grimmauld Place. He heard Walburga and Dorea say their goodbyes and then his Aunt Dorea was gone. He knew whatever plans his father had for him were not going to be enjoyable. Regulus changed into something more appropriate for dinner with the Blacks and looked around the room.
Green drapes, green sheets, and nothing to show who he was. Just a lot of books that his mother approved of. He missed his pictures of James. He truly was like the sun and now Regulus was in the dark. He tucked the necklace from James under his shirt, hoping it would go unnoticed.
Kreacher walked into the room quietly, “Kreacher has come to collect young master Regulus for dinner with all his relatives.”
Regulus froze, “Kreacher, are Bella and Cissa here too?”
“The whole extended family is here, Master Regulus.”
Regulus pulled out the journal he and Pandora shared and jotted down a quick note to her.
I think that it is happening tonight. My whole family is here. I love you, Pandora. You’re my sister, now and forever.
Regulus closed the journal and hid it under a floorboard. He followed Kreacher downstairs and into the dining area. Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix, Narcissa, Rhodolphus Lestrange, Cygnus, Druella, Walburga, and Orion were all around the table. The seat at the head of the table was empty. Regulus sat down next to his mother.
They ate in silence, like every family meal.
Once they had all eaten, Lucius stood up, “This is truly a momentus occasion. Regulus, it is time to join your family in service to the Dark Lord.”
Regulus felt his blood go cold, “Of course, it is my duty as heir to the most noble House of Black.”
Walburga nodded approvingly. The door opened and a man walked in Regulus knew who he was instantly, the Dark Lord, Voldemort.
“The boy is willing? It is important for them to be willing. Unlike your last son.”
“We only have one son, My Lord,” Orion countered.
Regulus realized with horror that they must have tried to get Sirius to join the Dark Lord. Of course, Sirius would have never joined.
“I am willing,” Regulus spoke up. They would kill Sirius if he didn’t join. He understood the chains he was bound by. He was the heir and he would fulfill his duty. He thought of James one last time before the Dark Lord took his arm and rolled his sleeve up.
“From this day forwards, Regulus Arcturus Black, you belong to me.”
Regulus spent the next week with his arm in excruciating pain. The dark mark wasn’t taking. It knew his heart. Regulus kept it hidden and followed every order his parents gave him. He didn’t write to James or Pandora. Both of them would abhor him now.
He tentatively opened the journal he shared with Pandora.
Regulus Arcturus Black,
You must answer me as soon as you see this. I know that you have the mark now. Evan has heard of it and Barty wants to get it next. Surely you know that means Evan will get it too.
None of that matters right now. I had a vision of you. We are going to find a way to defeat the Dark Lord. You and I together are going to destroy the Dark Lord from the inside out. Think about James. If we defeat the Dark Lord and if Narcissa or Bellatrix have a son, then you will be free. Regulus. We are going to fight this. I am going to fight for your happiness.
Kisses, Pandora.
Regulus felt his eyes well up with tears. He quickly wrote her a response, if only to delay opening the journal he shared with James.
Pandora,
The mark rejects me. It knows that my heart rejects it. I will not last long as a double agent. We will have to work quick. I will find a way to calm the mark and get it to accept me. We will have to be clever about this. I am thinking about James. I am thinking of how much he will hate me once he sees this hideous mark on my arm. Toujours Pur is just a big lie. I am anything but pure with this brand.
Regulus
After a moment of hesitation, Regulus opened the journal he shared with James.
Reggie,
These journals you made are quite the marvel. Sirius and Remus arrived at the manor today, but I miss you dearly.
James
Reggie,
You haven’t responded. It’s been a few days, please let me know that you are ok. Please be okay, Regulus.
James
Regulus dipped his quill in his inkwell and penned out a response.
James,
I am well. I was just sick. I’m glad you are not alone in my absence. You are not the only one who did not hear from me this week. Pandora used my full name to threaten me. I promise I will respond quicker from now on, but I have to be careful so that Walburga or Orion do not see either of my journals. I also miss you dearly.
Regulus
James had Sirius and Regulus was alone. Alone with a monster’s mark on his arm. He wished he was back at Potter Manor.
“Treacle?” He whispered softly.
A soft crack echoed in the room, “Master Regulus called for Treacle?”
Regulus smiled, “Yes, can you bring me a book on body link magic?”
Treacle disappeared quietly, leaving Regulus alone once again. He still had Treacle and Kreacher by his side even if Pandora and James were far away.