Prophecy
Prophecy
“I wish to know
The fatal flaw that makes you long to be
Magnificently cursed
He's in the room
Your opal eyes are all I wish to see
He wants what's only yours”
~Three Years Later~
Barty huffs out a cloud of smoke that drifts directly into Regulus’ face. He coughs. The two are standing outside of the Hogs Head, waiting for Severus Snape. They’ve been sent by Voldemort to gather intel from a secret order meeting. Luckily for Severus, Regulus and Barty are his gaurd. The men have gotten particularly good at dueling and spellcasting in the three years they’ve been active Death Eaters and they’ve climbed the ranks quickly. They are often chosen for missions and Voldemort considers them both to be extremely important to his cause. Regulus tries his best to keep a low profile, but unfortunately for him that means fighting the majority of Voldemort’s battles to avoid suspicion.
The January chill creeps up around them as they stand watch over the entrance to the Hogs Head ensuring that no one else enters the establishment while Snape is inside spying. The bar is closed at the late hour, but the Order has actively been using it for a meeting place, and Voldemort is keen on learning their secrets.
Regulus’ breath comes out heavily, frosting in front of him as he asks, “Doesn’t it ever get old for you, Barty? Aren’t you sick of all this?”
“Nah,” replies Barty, putting his cigarette out under his black boot. “I like the fighting, keeps me calm.” Regulus sighs. Barty has changed since they left Hogwarts. He has notoriously become known as one of Voldemort’s most ruthless and dangerous fighters. His reputation proceeds him as the menacing shadow following Voldemort and killing for him. He shows no mercy to those he fights against and has no barriers or restrictions for the spells he casts. Barty is cold. Ever since Evan. Barty doesn’t feel anymore.
Someone rounds the corner in front of the Hogs Head and before Regulus has a chance to react or even look at them properly Barty yells, “Incarcerous.” Snake like ropes wrap around the persons body as they writhe and fall to the ground, trapped within Barty’s spell. The man looks up at the two Death Eaters with fear as Barty snarls, “look what we have here! Walking out alone at night are we? Dangerous thing to do, Mate.”
“Barty-“ Regulus starts, but before he has a chance to begin, Barty has his wand pointed at the man’s chest ready to fight.
“Crucio!” Barty casts, dully, as if the whole situation is quite boring for him. The man screams as the spell rips painfully through his body.
“Enough, Bart,” says Regulus, looking around down the quite Hogsmeade streets. “We don’t need to draw any attention to ourselves.”
“Ah, fine,” replies Barty cooly. “Just having a bit of fun.” He stops the spell leaving the man to pant and shiver on the icy street. Behind them the door to the Hogs Head opens and Severus comes out grinning.
“Got it,” he smirks. “Let’s go”. Snape looks down, seeing the man on the ground. “What’s this?”
“Eh, intruder,” says Barty, kicking the man in the stomach with his boot. The man whimpers. “You were in there a bloody long time, had to entertain myself somehow.”
“Whatever, let’s get back to base,” Snape replies rolling his eyes. Barty disapparates first, followed by Snape. Regulus turns to leave, but looks back at the man on the ground. Sighing, he casts an Obliviate on the man’s memories and unties him before he apparates away.
—
Lily Evans stands in front of the mirror staring at herself. She holds her pregnant belly and smiles while she rubs circles around it. James comes up behind her grinning. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her neck. “I’m so happy Lils,” he says.
Lily was so afraid to tell James about the pregnancy. It was a complete accident, really. James and Lily weren’t anticipating being together as a couple, at all. But, for the sake of their child they were going to be the best damn parents they could be. They are happy together, truly, they are. Lily and James are in love, maybe not romantically, or traditionally, but they love one another. After Lily found James in the alcove at Hogwarts three years prior they’d become close, sure, but just as friends. He’d told her all about Regulus and she’d understood, because she too had loved someone who’d turned to the dark side. Lily understood what it was like to bleed internally for someone who couldn’t give you that love back. She knew what it was like to watch someone who was incredible and kind with you turn into a monster when they were around others. James’ magic called to Lily that day and she was compelled to him. She was drawn to his light, even though it was dimmed when she found him in the alcove. Her chest ached and she followed that pain right to him. His magic was bright, like the sun, glowing and warming as she got closer to him. It always felt like that with James, like the sun. He was heat and passion and burned so brightly that Lily always felt at her absolute best whenever she was around him. He covered her completely in his warmth. Their friendship was easy. It was simple to fall into a routine and become for one another what they were missing from their lost loves.
A month or two before Lily found out that she was pregnant, James’ magic called to Lily once again. The glowing pull was darker this time and more chaotic. She knew he was struggling when she found him in a booth at the Leaky, surrounded by glasses and an empty bottle of fire whiskey. He looked up at her, his brown eyes sad and empty, and frowned. She’d only ever seen his light this dim one other time and that was the day his father had died.
“James,” Lily had said softly. “What is it?”
He patted the seat next to himself, and Lily sat. James laid his head on Lily’s shoulder and said simply, “Regulus.”
“Oh.” Lily replied not wanting to push.
“We saw him in a battle today. He’s so thin. So gone. He didn’t even look like himself.”
“He’s fighting James, that’s what matters, really.”
“At what cost? He got hurt Lils, and I don’t even know if he’s alright.”
“Did you see Severus there?” asked Lily timidly, squeezing James’ arm.
“Yes.”
James didn’t elaborate further. Lily wondered from time to time if Severus was okay or even alive and this at-least was a confirmation for the later. Lily flagged down a waitress and ordered another bottle of fire whiskey. The two drank together and Lily helped James forget about Regulus for a while. Allowed herself to do the same for Severus. They sang and danced and pretended the world outside of their little corner of the bar didn’t exsist. They eventually apparated back to James’ flat stumbling through the door. Their bodies crashing together before they’d barely even made it inside the door, they undressed each other frantically as if every touch mattered more than anything else in the world. They kissed passionately, touched ferociously, and loved with everything they had in them. As two souls who needed to forget for just a moment, they held each other as if the world was ending.
James kneels down in front of Lily, startling her out of her memory. “Hey there little Harry,” he says, rubbing her belly. “Can’t wait to meet you.”
—
***
It started slow, like the first snow fall of winter. It came in light flurries without warning. James was drawn to Regulus. After confronting Regulus the hall and seeing the pain he felt about Sirius, James softened to him. He found himself drawn to Regulus and finding himself face to face with the boy everywhere. In the library, he’d head back to the stacks to study and find Regulus already sitting at the table he was heading to, or walk down to the quidditch pitch to squeeze in a quick fly between classes only to find Regulus already zooming on his broom above his head. James was drawn to Regulus. His magic was pulling him to this boy and James wasn’t entirely sure why, but he was growing more and more excited to find him.
One afternoon, James felt the familiar tug telling him that needed to head in a certain direction and knew that it must be Reg. Their interactions had been brief prior to this point, but James couldn’t help but notice Regulus staring at him across the Great Hall during meals, or feel himself seeking out Regulus around every corner. He wasn’t quite sure what this was, but he needed to find out. So, he hastily made an excuse to leave Sirius and Remus in the library and let his feet carry him to Regulus. He was surprised to find himself outside of the hospital wing. James entered and glanced around quickly for Madam Pomfrey; the stern witch was no where insight. He spotted a bed at the far end of the wing with the curtains drawn back and walked towards it. He slowly made his way to the bed and pulled back the curtain soundlessly. Regulus was sitting up, arm wrapped in a sling. He was scowling and staring straight ahead. He started when he saw James, and rolled his eyes. His right eye was black and blue, his face puffy, and his nose surrounded by crusted blood.
“Reg?” James questioned.
“The hell are you doing here, Potter?” Snapped Regulus.
“What happened to you?” James asked again. “You’re a right mess.”
“Fell of my broom,” Regulus said looking forward again with a straight face.
“Doubt that,” James replied, moving to sit on the bed next to Regulus’ feet. Regulus drew his feet up closer to himself, flinching slightly. “The way you fly? Really, what happened?”
“Mulciber, Avery, and Snape,” said Regulus, clearing his throat and looking anywhere but James. He was startled by the compliment about his flying, surprised James had noticed. “Decided I wasn’t living up to my Slytherin duties lately and wanted to remind me.” James moved to touch his hand and Regulus pulled it quickly out of the way. “Why are you here James?”
“Dunno,” James said, shrugging. “Just felt like this was the place to be today.”
“How are you always doing that? Following me? Finding me?”
“I feel this pull towards you,” James replied looking into Regulus’ grey eyes. The younger boy tried his best to keep looking away but his eyes kept glancing up at James under his long eyelashes. “For some reason you call to me and it’s like my body knows where it’s going before my mind does. Is this all in my head? Is this just me? Or, can you feel it too?”
“No,” said Regulus. James looked back down. “I feel it too.” They looked up at the same time, finally meeting each others gaze. “Your magic is so warm James and it’s like I can feel it wrapping right around my heart. You’re like the sun, and it’s too bright but I just can’t look away anymore.” James reached for Regulus’ hand again, and this time Regulus let him. ***
—
Sirius and Remus walk down a side street in Diagon Alley. It’s a rare day that they don’t have any Order business to see to, and they are enjoying some time together and away from the others. They walk hand in hand, unafraid. Those who want to hurt them, will. Regardless of their love for one another. They turn down a mostly empty street heading towards Florian Fortesque’s Ice Cream Parlor. Diagon Alley remains mostly deserted these days. A once vibrant and bubbly atmosphere has become a ghost town. Most people are afraid to leave there homes as Voldemort gains strength, and choose to spend their time hiding behind locked doors and closed curtains. If it were up to Moody and Dumbledore, the Marauders would remain cooped up in their homes too. But, Sirius, ever the rebel, needs the escape with Remus today.
As they make their way along the road to Fortesque’s, they pass an alley. Light streams in from the setting sun, the pinkish glow highlighting a figure walking towards them. He’s carrying a package that appears heavy, and scowling. Remus stops in his tracks, holding Sirius back slightly as if he doesn’t want him to see, unsure of what this meeting will cause. But, Sirius looks up to see the form of his brother coming closer and closer through the dimming glow of the alleyway.
“Reggie,” he gasps. Regulus looks up. His eyes widen for a moment as he looks around, checking his surroundings for on lookers. It’s been months since he’d caught a glimpse of Sirius and the others in a battle with the Order and he’d thought of them every day since. He shrinks the package in his hands, and stuffs it into the inside pocket of his robes. “Buying a gift for your master?” Scoffs Sirius.
“No, actually, it’s - nevermind,” replies Regulus, putting his hands in his pockets and looking at the ground. He glances up meeting Sirius’ eyes. Remus looks between the two brothers, nervously, as if waiting for one to make a move. Sirius lunges toward Regulus instantly and Remus makes to stop him but he isn’t quick enough. Regulus doesn’t bother to stop his advance, thinks it’s what he deserves. He braces for the impact. As Sirius reaches him, he grabs Regulus’ robes and pulls him toward him, embracing him in a hug like Regulus has never felt from his brother before.
“God, Reg,” says Sirius, with his face buried in Regulus’ hair. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you like this again.” Regulus holds his arms out unsure of what to do, and then allows himself this brief moment of being human. He wraps his arms around Sirius and lets his body collapse into his older brother. They embrace for a while, until Remus clears his throat behind them.
“Lads, perhaps we should move to somewhere a little more private, yeah?” Remus says, raising an eyebrow, unbelieving at the sight before him.
“Yeah, right,” says Sirius, hesitantly letting go of Regulus. “Reg? 342 Nottingham Dr., will you come?” Realizing that Sirius must have just given him the address to his home, he nods, and they apparate away.
Sirius and Remus’ cottage is small and unassuming, but cozy and warm. There is pot of tea left on the stove, pillows and blankets lay strewn about the floor in front of the fire place, and photographs of the Marauders hang crookedly on the walls. Regulus sits on the sofa as Remus hands him a glass of water.
“Thanks,” he says. “So this is still a thing, huh?” He asks gesturing between Sirius and Remus. Remus places a hand on Sirius’ shoulder and squeezes.
“Yeah,” Sirius barks out a laugh. He stares at Regulus. “Are you ok? After that battle we saw you go down and I didn’t know..”
“Just a stunner,” replies Regulus. “No harm.”
Sirius nods. “I’m so glad you’re here Regulus. Tell us, what’s it like, what’s happening?”
“There’s not much to tell that wouldn’t put you in danger,” he replies shaking his head. “Just know I’m fighting every day. Every step I can. Voldemort is gaining strength, but I think he’s nervous about something or someone. I’m not sure.
“Regulus, can we help you?” asks Remus. “Can we get you out now?”
“No,” says Regulus firmly. “It’s still the same, it’s too dangerous. Besides I couldn’t leave Barty behind.” Sirius huffs. “Look, I know he’s done some bad shit, but he’s not a bad guy. He’s just lost the light. But we’re good where we are. I’m good. I’m fine.”
“You look like death,” Sirius responds. Regulus rolls his eyes.
“I’m fine,” Regulus states, coldly, shielding himself from getting to emotional with his brother. “How are you all, though? What’s going on for you? …how’s James?”
“Fine, Reg. We’re all fighting.” Replies Sirius, dismissively. “He’s stressed about the baby, but that’s-“ he stops, looking up.
“Baby?” Regulus asks, setting down his glass of water with shaking hand.
Remus sighs, smacking Sirius on the back of the head, “Yes, James and Lily are pregnant. But it’s not what you think. They aren’t -“
“Oh,” says Regulus, walls coming back up around him. He looks out at the inky black sky outside of the cottage. “Look I actually should go, they’ll be expecting me back. Can we figure out a way to keep in contact? I’ll try to owl, now that I know where you are. Don’t contact me. I’ll come to you first.” He nods to Sirius as he gets up to leave. They stand to embrace once more as brothers, holding onto one another as if no time or horrible war has passed between them at all. “If I can help, if I hear something, I’ll try to reach out.”
James and Lily, Regulus thinks as he steps outside of the cottage into the bitter cold, before apparating away. That makes sense, actually. James deserves the happiness more than anyone. Even if it’s not with him.
—
“The Ministry is falling deeper under Voldemort’s control, I fear that we can no longer find a foothold there,” Albus Dumbledore states, addressing the order members sitting in front of him in an order safe house. This week, they are sitting uncomfortably tight in the Weasley’s living room. “Unfortunately our last fight trying to win back the ministry ended in tragedy. As most of you know Marlene McKinnon was killed.” Lily squeezes James’ hand under the table.
“And Dorcas Meadowes’ is missing,” calls out Mary MacDonald, who is seated to James’ right. “She hasn’t been seen since Marlene’s death. What are we doing to find her her?”
“That’s right,” grumbles Moody. “Bloody terrible move to flee if you ask me, don’t know what she’s thinking trying to go off on her own. Tragic nonetheless. And so soon after the Prewett’s death.” James cringes. He liked the Prewett brothers and was sad to hear they were ambushed and killed.
“It is clear that this is getting more and more serious,” Dumbledore says, as Sirius snorts across the table from James. James has to bury his head into Lily’s hair to hide his grin. Inappropriate though it may be he can’t help but laugh. “We mustn’t stop fighting, but we need to scale back and regroup.” A murmur of agreement echoes around the room.
“Now I have some private matters to discuss with a few of you,” Dumbledore continues. His blue eyes twinkle as he looks over at James. “Mr. Potter, Miss Evans, and Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom, could you please hang back. The rest of you are dismissed.” The crowd begins to disappate, except for the four called, Dumbledore and Moody. Remus, Sirius and Peter also remain in their seats unmoving.
“Ah, very well,” sighs Dumbledore. “I wish to discuss with you the contents of a prophecy of which I believe that Voldemort has heard and is very interested in.” James straightens, interest peaked. Frank and Alice Longbottom look at Dumbledore, curious. Sirius looks at his fingernails, already bored with the conversation.
“This prophecy speaks of someone who has the power to end Voldemort’s reign. Someone, who happens not to be born, just yet.” Lily gasps. Alice grabs Franks hand and stares wide eyed at Dumbledore.
“We suggest the four of you hide, for now, away from prying eyes until your children are born and until we can assess the threat to them.” Says Moody.
“WHAT!?” Shouts James. “You expect us to just - hide? What about the war?”
“Damn the war boy!” Moody shouts back. “Keeping you safe could be the end to the war.”
“But we can protect them.” Says Sirius, standing from his spot at the table.
“At this time,” Dumbledore says, trying to speak over the chaos. “We are suggesting you go into hiding alone and without anyone else knowing where you are.”
“Maybe that’s best,” whispers Lily. “But, our friends?”
“You can let us know what to decide, girl,” says Moody, addressing Lily. “But, I suggest you decide quick. And remember, you can’t trust everyone.” Moody glances sideways at Sirius as he says it. Sirius gulps unsure of the animosity directed at him.
—
“Pads pass the potatoes,” calls James from across the dining table. “Quit hogging.”
“Prongs, I will have you know I am FAMISHED from a hard days work and need my sustinance,” Sirius smirks. James, Sirius, Remus and Lily are having dinner, home cooked and delicious by Remus himself. They’ve gathered together at Sirius’ and Remus’ home at James’ request.
Remus scoffs, “You took the day off, as a dog, to lay by the lake.”
“And I’m exhausted,” replies Sirius. The group laughs, so comfortable in their small found family. Sirius clears his throat. “James, mate,” he says, glancing sideways at Remus who nods, urging him on. “Wanted to let you know, we uh, we saw Regulus the other day. In Diagon. He came back here with us, actually.”
James sets down his knife and fork and takes a deep breath. “He’s okay?” he asks. Lily rubs reassuring circles on his back. James takes off his glasses and sets them down, rubbing his eyes.
“Seems fine, yeah,” says Sirius, running a hand through his hair. “He’s still in it, but he’s not hurt. And I think he’s trying to sway things and keep on a straight path. Anyway, he gave us a contact point to reach him. A place we can apparate to. Oweled the other day to let us know. The wards will summon him and he can meet us. Thought maybe you’d…?” Sirius trails off. He looks expectantly over at James, his hair falling in front of his eyes, looking up like a puppy begging for scraps.
“I doubt he wants to see me,” says James, shaking his head.
“He asked about you,” Remus butts in.
James looks up, his eyes sad. “You should go to him James,” says Lily. “You need to go to him before-“ James’ head snaps in her direction.
“Before?” Remus questions.
Lily sighs, rubbing her hands together. Her green eyes twinkling with tears, she looks up at her friends. “Well, that’s why we asked to have dinner tonight. It’s only a shame Pete couldn’t make it. But, we’ve decided to take Dumbledore’s advice and go into hiding, for now.”
“What?” Barks Sirius. “You can’t!”
“Sirius, it’s for the best,” says James, as if he’s still trying to convince himself. “You know that. We have to do what we can to protect Harry. But, in order for us to do that we need your help.”
“Right,” says Lily, shifting her gaze from James to Sirius. “We want you to be our secret keeper.”
“Me? Are you sure? You know I’d die for either of you, but are you sure? Aren’t I the obvious choice?”
“Yes, but we trust you Pads,” says James moving to pull Sirius up from the table into an embrace.
“I’m honored, and I’ll do everything to protect you,” says Sirius, shaking with pride in James arms. “All three of you.”
Remus claps his hands together. “Alright! This calls for … chocolate. I’ll go get some! I made a cake.” He makes to grab the decadent dessert, as Sirius pulls James forward to face him. “Lily’s right though,” he says. “Go see Reg. At least once.”
—
Voldemort’s most inner and trusted circle gathers in the dining room of 12 Grimmauld Place. since Regulus officially joined the death eaters his home has been the hub for Death Eater meetings. Walpurga was overjoyed to have her house used for such a noble cause, and immediately volunteered it much to Regulus’ dismay. Shortly after volunteering her house Walpurga and Orion left for France for rest and retirement, leaving Regulus as the sole head of the Black household. Regulus hadn’t seen or spoken to them in almost three years.
Regulus takes his seat at the table next to Barty. The inner circle gathers and begins to sit. Lucius Malfoy, Antonin Dolohov, Corban Yaxley, Severus Snape, Avery, and Mulciber. Theses are elite death eaters that Voldemort puts his utmost trust in. Regulus sniggers at the thought.
Voldemort saunters into the dining room. He casts at the curtains around the room, drawing them closed, casting a greying shadow across the faces of the men. He slams the dining room door shut with a spell and as it bangs closed he casts “muffilato.” Voldemort sits at the head of the table in front of a large basin, and Regulus can’t help but notice the changes in the man before him. His eyes are rimmed with dark circles. His skin has become paler, almost opaque in appearance, as if one touch would send your finger right through it. He has a slight aura glowing around him, menacing, making him seem more spirit than human. And, as Regulus has seen on countless occasions, the man looks uneasy. Voldemort is nervous. Regulus is right, something else is happening here. He just needs to find out what.
“Gentleman, I am eager to hear of your missions this week,” Voldemort says, his voice raspy, as if speaking itself is painful to him. “Lucius if you would begin.”
“My Lord, yes,” stammers Lucius. “We succeeded in our meeting with the Bulgarians, they favor you and are willing to join your ranks. Igor Karkaroff looks forward to meeting with you soon.” Ever needing to show his loyalty, Lucius takes his time recounting his meeting and painting himself as the undying servant he longs to be.
“Very well,” Voldemort responds dismissively, “Severus, you next.”
“I was able to obtain the message, My Lord,” responds Snape bowing his head. “As Black and Crouch stood guard I was able to listen in on the conversation between the seer and Dumbledore as you asked. I was interrupted as a maid almost made my presence known, and hastily had to make my escape, however I feel I got the prophecy from the Seer in its entirety.”
Regulus ears perk up at the mention of Dumbledore, he’d no idea that they were spying on the old headmaster.
“Let’s hear that prophecy than, shall we?” asks Voldemort, beckoning Snape forward. Snape removes the silvery strands of his memory and kneels before Voldemort. He dumps the whisps into the pensive in front of Voldemort at the table. The memory whirls and begins to play for the men:
| Dumbledore is seated calmly and still at a small, rickety table across from a woman with large glasses, protruding eyes and bushy, wild hair. The woman begins to speak in a monotone voice, her eyes glassing over.
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.”
Severus is pushed forward by a woman walking down the hallway, and he bolts.|
“As expected,” says Voldemort looking at a spot far off. “Well done, Severus, you have served me well.” Snape grins, pushing his greasy black hair out of his eyes as he makes his way back to his seat. Barty moves in his seat next to Regulus. “Git,” he whispers.
“Now,” says Voldemort unlocking and opening the dining room doors. “A very helpful spy is here. He has been a great asset to me many times over, and he believes he has the identity of this ‘person with the power to vanquish me’.” A few sniggers make their way around the table, trying to solidify their faith the Dark Lord. Lucius is the loudest. “Enter,” calls Voldemort. Regulus turns his head and it takes everything in him not to react to the small, rat-like man walking into the room. Peter. Peter Pettigrew. James’ Peter. “Oh, for fucks sake. Him?” Says Barty in Reg’s ear.
“Peter, many thanks for your years of service. Please enlighten us to your knowledge,” Voldemort says placing a hand on Peters shoulder. Regulus can’t help but hear the condescending tone in his voice.
“M-my L-lord,” says Peter bowing. Regulus notices that he’s trembling slightly. “I believe your prophecy refers to the Potter’s child. Well James Potter. And Lily Evans. Their child. See he’s going to be born late summer, Lily’s pregnant now.”
Regulus moves to stand taking in a sharp breath, but Barty’s hand squeezes his leg to steady him. Remind him where he is. Regulus looks across the table at Severus, his eyes are wide and his face has grown white. They lock eyes as they realize at the same moment what the prophecy has cost them both.
—
Regulus feels the wards to his safe house rattle. He’d discovered the dilapidated cabin and used it occasionally as an escape from Grimmauld, or just a chance to lay low. He’s a bit surprised that Sirius is already calling on him, but he isn’t upset at another chance to see his brother. He apparates to the cabin expecting to see his mirror image in grey eyes and black locks but instead what he sees causes his walls to come crumbling down around him.
“You found me,” Regulus says.