Regulus sat in his chair and spun around once. His head was thrown back while he stared at the white ceiling in his dorm.
Barty and Evan were outside, enjoying the sun one last time before everything went up in flames.
Andromeda was sitting on Regulus’ bed, gulping hard as she tried to fight off the serum Regulus made her drink.
“Tell me, Andromeda, what is Regulus’ plan?” He asked and stopped spinning. He looked at his cousin sitting before him and raised an eyebrow. She was glaring at him while a small bead of sweat formed on her forehead. Regulus smirked.
“Remember what I taught you.” Regulus said and leaned forwards. His elbows were on his knees now and he repeated the question. He watched her clench her jaw shut before she let out a small laugh.
“You think I’m going to tell you?” She snapped and closed her mouth shut again. Regulus smirked and raised his chin in pride.
“Why not? I just want to help him. Come on then, Andromeda, tell me what Regulus’ plan is.” Regulus repeated and she shook her head.
“Forget it.” She spat out and Regulus smirked again. He had trained her well. Andromeda Black had developed a resistance to the truth serum thanks to Regulus.
Andromeda Black, the one person in the Black Family who actually tried to help him out.
A while ago, Regulus was given no choice but to take on the Dark Mark and join the Death Eaters.
The younger Black brother could still remember the day he ran to Sirius and James, telling them the truth and begging for help.
He could still remember them turning their backs on him and walking away like he was nothing. Like Sirius never had a brother. Like James never loved him.
Regulus didn’t beg for them to hear him out. Instead, he forever closed the doors on his past and announced that he no longer had a brother.
Barty Crouch Jr, Evan Rosier, Dorcas Meadowes and Pandora Rosier were the only friends he had now. They were the only ones who believed him.
Then one day, Andromeda Black knocked on his doors and asked to help him. At first, Regulus did not trust her. It was a well known fact that Andromeda always liked Sirius more. He didn’t understand why she wanted to help Regulus now.
That day was the first time Regulus forced Verita Serum down someone’s throat. He interrogated her along with his friends. She was allowed into their inner circle only once Regulus was certain that she had not been sent by Sirius to spy on him.
Since then, Regulus had been training Andromeda to resist the Serum. He knew that there was a possibility of the Order trying to interrogate her. And he needed to make sure that his plan would not be leaked before he could see it through.
“You’ve gotten good.” Regulus said and smiled. Andromeda smiled back once she felt the Serum slowly lose its power.
“I had a great teacher.” She said back and Regulus smirked again. Andromeda moved her shoulders a bit, making her joints crack and then she looked at her cousin again.
“Are you sure you want to go through with your plan? We can’t make another one less risky than this one?” She asked and Regulus stared at her for a while before answering.
“This is our best chance at winning.” Regulus said and she gulped, nodding her head.
Days later, they were in front of Hogwarts, sitting in grass with the rest of their friends. Regulus was laying on his back, his black hair shining in the sunlight.
James who sat on the other side of the garden gulped while he watched him, ignoring Sirius, Peter and Remus by his side. Regulus Black was beautiful and he was just laying in the sun with a gentle smile on his face.
A smile that was not directed towards him, James realized and gulped.
“I still don’t understand what Andromeda is doing with them. Or Dorcas.” Sirius whispered while he glared at his brother who wore long sleeves even in the scorching sun. Sirius snorted, thinking of the mark that was probably hidden underneath those long sleeves.
Andromeda laughed loudly at something Dorcas said and pointed her finger at Barty who was glaring at her. His glare held no heat though, Sirius realized while he watched him turn to look at Evan. The look in his eyes immediately softened.
“Maybe he was telling the truth back then?” Remus prompted, not looking up from the book in between his palms. Sirius turned to glare at his boyfriend and shook his head.
“Don’t be stupid. Of course he lied.” He said and Remus just shrugged his shoulders. Barty, like always, sensed when someone was staring and he looked around until his eyes fell on Sirius. Then the glare returned. This one held all the heat in the world in those dark eyes.
“Reggie, a motherfucker is staring. Want me to burn him?” Barty asked and nudged Regulus who nearly fell asleep. He hummed and looked to where Barty was glaring. His eyes fell on an apologetic James and a still seething Sirius. Regulus smirked.
“No. Save your strength. You will need it.” He said and closed his eyes again, enjoying the heat he felt on his face. The sun made him feel alive. How sad was it that his own sun left his life before it could ever enter it? Sirius mouthed something to Andromeda who only looked away and towards Pandora again.
It wasn’t long before Narcissa and Bellatrix made an appearance too. They dropped down next to Andromeda and behind Regulus’ head. Narcissa immediately put her hands in his shoulder length hair and started to braid.
For the first time since he turned his back to his brother, Sirius wondered if he was the one in the wrong this entire time.
Andromeda, Narcissa, Bellatrix, Evan, Pandora, Dorcas and Barty were all on Regulus’ side. Andromeda and Pandora of all people would not be on the wrong side, right? He wasn’t sure anymore. Sirius Black was no longer sure of anything.
He narrowed his eyes when he heard Narcissa sniffle and Regulus’ eyes immediately opened again. He looked at his cousin and shook his head while her hands still braided his hair.
“None of that, Cissa. We talked about this.” Regulus spoke and James frowned, looking through all of Regulus’ friends. All had that same defeated, grieving and sad expression on their face. Pandora even had to look away and continue making a flower crown in her hands. She sniffled once and Evan put his hand on her shoulder.
What was going on, James wondered. Why did it seem like they were all mourning something before it even died? Barty was the one who still looked murderous, even if his eyes looked distant, a clear sign of the fact that he must have been thinking hard.
While it was true that Barty Crouch Jr was rather aggressive, no one could deny the fact that the boy was as smart as one could be. James could remember the Sorting Hat even being conflicted between Ravenclaw and Slytherin while it tried to sort him. Slytherin won at the end.
James regretted turning his back on Regulus months ago when the younger Black came, telling them the story of how he got the Mark.
He reacted in a moment of disappointment and anger with his parents who would do that to their own son. But when he came to the Slytherin Dorms days later, asking for Regulus in order to apologize, he was nearly murdered by a very pissed off Barty.
If it wasn’t for Evan stopping him, James Potter would be dead now. And when James tried to thank Evan for his help, he was met with another glare. Evan bristled with barely contained anger himself. He only told him to get lost and forget all about Regulus or James would be dealing with the wrath of Evan Rosier.
Now, he sat on a different side of the garden of Hogwarts while he stared at the love of his life on the other side. Where there was nothing separating them before, there was now a giant invisible wall separating them.
“Regulus is planning something.” Sirius said from beside him and James turned to look at his best friend with a frown on his face.
“How do you know?” He asked and Sirius scoffed.
“As much as I hate to admit it, the snake is still my brother. I know that he is planning something but I don’t know what.” Sirius spoke and continued to glare at his baby brother. The younger brother he was ready to kill for before.
“He must be planning on doing something noble if Andromeda is on his side.” Sirius spoke and tilted his head to the side, observing his brother and his friends. A frown appeared on his face and he turned to look at James now.
“I may not know what he is planning but Andromeda most certainly does if she is by his side. You know what that means?”
“We have to kidnap Andromeda Black.” Peter finally chimed in and Sirius nodded his head.
“And interrogate her.” Sirius finished saying and James took a deep breath, knowing that this would all go south.
Days passed by the time Sirius managed to get Andromeda alone. Regulus had been missing for days now. The last time Sirius saw him was that day in the garden and he hated the fact that he still worried about him.
James worried as well. He felt like he was going to jump out of his skin. That was how agitated he was. Peter had cast some spell on Andromeda once she went down to the dungeons and Remus was the one to carry her to the furthest dungeon they could find.
He lowered the unconscious Black cousin to the chair and watched as Sirius tied her up. Then they all stood there and waited for her to open her eyes. James was surprised to find her waking up minutes later. She moved her head and frowned in pain afterwards.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the four boys standing before her. She chuckled and lowered her head, away from the painful sun, again.
“I was wondering when you would kidnap me, Siri.” Andromeda whispered, using the old nickname Regulus gave him. Sirius gulped and frowned.
“I have to admit that I am disappointed, Andromeda.” Sirius started and the girl chuckled. She looked up again, meeting his gaze and smiled.
“The feeling is mutual.” She said and James raised an eyebrow, wondering when she had become so mean.
“I expected everything from you, Andro. Everything but not that Regulus would be your favorite, not that you would join him and the Death Eaters.” Sirius spoke and gulped after that. James frowned, realizing that even if he pretended otherwise, the rift between him and Regulus was still painful for Sirius.
“Well, someone had to protect Reggie. And it wasn’t gonna be you.” Andromeda threw back and Sirius gulped. He looked away for a second before Andromeda took a deep breath and raised her chin.
“He took the Dark Mark. Why the hell would I protect him now?” Sirius asked and Andromeda frowned, anger and hatred appeared in her dark eyes and Sirius nearly covered away from her gaze.
“He no longer needs your protection anyways. He found all the understanding and safety he needed with his friends and his cousins. Not with you like he should have.” She spoke and Sirius growled and stormed towards her. He threw her head back and forced the Verita Serum down her throat.
He missed the smirk on her face when she recognized the bitter taste in her mouth. Sirius stepped back, hands on his hips now and glared.
“You’re going to tell me everything. What is his plan?” Sirius asked and they all watched as a smile widened on her face. She rolled her shoulders a bit, making her joints crack as she did so.
“You think Reggie didn’t predict this? You think he didn’t prepare me for this?” She asked, stunning them all into silence. Minutes passed before James stepped forwards. His hair was a mess and he looked agitated.
“Please, Andromeda. I refuse to believe he is evil. Just tell us what’s his plan.” James spoke softly and watched as the girl rolled her eyes.
“He tried telling you the truth. You refused to listen. Now, his only wish is for you to find out the truth when it is too late.” Andromeda said and Sirius leaned forwards, a worried frown on his face once more.
“Too late? Don’t tell me he’s planning on putting his life on the line for some bullshit.” Siriius spat out and the girl turned to glare at him again.
“He already did. His life has been on the line since you left, Sirius. He paid the price for your freedom. Your freedom became his cage. The Mark was the price. By the time he is done with his plan, you will wish you could turn back time.” Andromeda said, never once revealing the true plan. Sirius had tears rolling down his cheeks now, frozen in shock when the doors were thrown wide open. He was pulled to the side by James.
Andromeda smirked when she saw her friends enter the dungeon. Regulus was the first one to come inside, never once sparing the Order a glance. The younger Black tilted his head to the side while he observed Andromeda who was still smiling.
“Verita Serum?” He asked and she nodded her head, watching him smirk in satisfaction.
All he had to do was move his wand once and Andromeda was freed. She walked up towards her friends and they all began walking away. Regulus was the last one to turn around, after having thought of whether or not he should obliviate his brother and former crush. He chose not to.
The Order not to retaliate when they saw Regulus come and leave with his friends. Barty Crouch Jr was known as a genius. A mad genius. He would have ended them the second they tried harming Regulus.
“Regulus! Wait!” Sirius yelled, finally unfreezing from his state of shock and running after his brother, wondering if maybe he really did make a mistake in a moment of anger.
Regulus never stopped, a wand still in his hand.
“Please, let us talk!” James called and Regulus didn’t react. Not even to the cries of the one he once adored.
“There is nothing to talk about.” Regulus said before they left the basement.
That was the last time the Order saw Regulus Arcturus Black. The plan was simple. Once the last Horcrux was found, Regulus would go and destroy it. There was a huge possibility of him dying to do so. Still, they hoped for a better outcome.
Regulus was not to tell even his friends when the time came for him to destroy the Horcrux. He knew that if he told them, they would find a way to stop him from sacrificing himself. But if his sacrifice was the only way for them to win the war, then it would all be worth it, the younger Black brother thought.
Now, he stood in the cave that would be his end. He watched the locket on the huge gray stone and sniffled, knowing this would be his end. Kreacher was still standing beside him, refusing to leave his side despite the fact that Regulus tried to chase him away six times now.
Regulus wrote down a small note and turned to look at his house elf.
“Will you do me a favor, Kreacher?” Regulus asked and the elf looked at him.
“Kreacher lives to serve the Noble House of Black.” He answered and Regulus smiled sadly. He could already feel the potion effect and weaken him. Regulus took a painful breath and slowly sat down before his elf.
He leaned back on the big gray stone and looked at a broken locket in his hand now. He offered it to the Elf who looked at him confused.
“Give this to my best friend Barty Crouch Jr.” He said and Kreacher nodded his head. He took the locket and Regulus could swear that he looked sad for the first time in his life.
“And give this to the Dark Lord.” Regulus said and gave him the note. Kreacher gulped and nodded his head. Then he shook it and frowned.
“Kreacher can still save Master Regulus.” He said and Regulus chuckled. He shook his head, feeling the potion get the better of him. His eyelids were growing heavy now.
“No, I am done fighting, Kreacher. Now go.” Regulus whispered and when he opened his eyes, it was to find the House Elf still standing before him.
“Go, Kreacher!” Regulus yelled when he saw the gray hands emerge from the depths of the water next to him. Regulus scratched his neck, never having felt as thirsty as in that moment.
“Kreacher go! I command you to leave!” Regulus yelled and he watched Kreacher flinch before he left through a portal. Regulus sighed and turned towards the water. The gray hands emerged once again and took a hold of his leg. It wasn’t long before he was dragged under. He didn’t even fight. Regulus Black was drowned and he did not even try to fight back.
Things happened quickly from then on. Kreacher appeared in front of the Slytherin friends in the garden of Hogwarts, startling them all. Sirius took note of his appearance and watched as Andromeda closed her eyes and gulped. Pandora started to cry the second Kreacher moved to stand before Barty.
He offered him a broken locket and Barty frowned before realization appeared in his eyes. He gulped and immediately stood up.
“No! No! Tell me he didn’t do it today!” Barty yelled in panic, his hands shaking and Evan stood up, putting his hand on his shoulder, calming him down a bit.
“Master Regulus told me to bring this to his best friend Barty Crouch Jr. It is time.” Kreacher said before he disappeared.
Sirius watched in confusion before James tapped his shoulder. He turned to look where he was pointing and his eyes widened. An army of hundreds of Dark Lord’s wizards was coming their way.
The war was there and Sirius still wondered what happened to his brother. He watched Hogwarts students begin to scream and run around. Sirius growled and took out his want, ready for the war like never before.
Hours upon hours passed and so many lives on both sides were lost. Then Kreacher appeared in the middle of the battlefield. Voldemort stopped his movements when he saw him hold up a small paper.
“I have a message for you, Dark Lord.” Kreacher spoke, his voice barely a whisper. Voldemort motioned with his hand towards Orion. Kreacher stepped forward and everyone stopped what they were doing. Orion took a hold of the note and began reading out loud.
‘To the Dark Lord,
I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know it was I who discovered your secret.
It was I who betrayed you.
If you are reading this now then it is because I have found your last Horcrux and destroyed it.
You are now mortal once more.
R.A.B.’
Walburga’s eyes widened when she heard the initials and Sirius took a deep breath. He looked at James and gulped. His brother’s initials.
Barty screamed and continued his fight against the Dark Lord. Sirius remained frozen in his place, trying to process all the information he just got. He felt all the puzzle pieces fall into place and looked at his cousins behind Barty who looked devastated by the news.
Evan’s eyes were red from crying and he looked on the verge of burning the entire wizarding world. Pandora was by his side, hugging her brother while she cried. And Dorcas was frozen in place the same way Sirius was.
This was it. This was Regulus’ big plan. Sacrifice himself for the wizarding world. A big scream was heard and Sirius looked up to see Barty with his wand pointed towards the Dark Lord while he screamed ‘Avada Kedavra’. And then just like that, the big bad Dark Lord was gone and the war was won.
It was only won because of Regulus’ sacrifice and Barty’s thirst for revenge.
Sirius looked to his left, at his best friend James who Sirius knew was in love with Regulus. James, who never got to confess to him. James who never got to apologize.
And he would never get a chance to apologize. None of them would. It was too late. Regulus Arcturus Black was already dead. And he was telling the truth the entire time.