He withered and screamed on the floor. Under his mother's wand for a reason he didn't know. All he did was walk through the door. He tried to think back. To remember something, anything he had done to anger her but he came up blank. The pain making it hard to think of anything at all.
Let's rewind.
“Juliet!” Regulus rushed forward at the sight of her. Her lovely blonde hair and beautiful brown eyes that looked amber in the sunlight. She met him halfway and wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her off the ground clinging to her. Finally the school year was over and they could see each other instead of sending letters.
“Hello my love,” Her voice was gentle, a sweet melody Regulus will never tire of hearing. He leaned back a bit to meet her lips and felt like he finally took a breath after being under the ocean waters. He felt her smile against his lips and he pulled away to grin at her.
“You’re as beautiful as always,” He said, kissing her cheek and setting her back on the ground but not letting go. “I’m glad to finally see you,” She grinned and buried her face in his neck enjoying the feeling of his arms around her.
“How was Hogwarts?” She asked after minutes of silence of them just holding the other. He pulled away and laced their fingers together before pulling her along to walk the park's path they agreed to meet at.
“As usual. Sirius and his friends pranked Slytherin so all our hair was green and it didn’t go away for weeks.” Juliet threw her head back laughing, “I bet you looked dashing,” Juliet said while letting go of his hand to lace their arms together.
“I certainly didn't, ironically green is not my color,” he said looking at her instead of in front of him.
Juliet giggled, “Blue is more your color, brings out your eyes.” He nudged her saying, “Does it now?” She pinched his cheek, “Don’t fish for compliments,” She said in a humorfull scolding voice. He smiled saying “Bossy,” Juliet let out an exaggerated gasp, “You did not just call me bossy!” She went to smack him upside the head but he let go of her arm and ran with her giving chase.
Their laughter filled the air.
They collapsed on a bench panting after their chase. Juliet leaned her head onto Regulus’ shoulders. “How was Quidditch this? Did you win the Hogwarts Quidditch cup this year?” She asked lacing their arms again. “Of course we did. I'm the best seeker at school.” She laughed saying, “Cocky huh?” He smirked saying, “I’m allowed to be.”
“What about the house cup?” She said starting to fidget with Regulus’ fingers.
“Ravenclaw won that this year. Slytherin was a close second though.” She hummed, “And your parents?” Regulus' face closed off a bit, “As usual.” He said, looking away from Juliet. She gently placed a hand on his cheek and turned his head back towards her. “You know you can come to me anytime.” He sighed and kissed her forehead knowing he couldn’t. Not without endangering her.
He’d rather die than risk her life. He meant everything to him. He felt himself start to fade at the thought of his parents hurting her. She pinched his cheek saying, “Hey don’t drift off on me, I’m here,” He focused on her face. Her brown eyes, her freckles across her nose, her chapped lips. He felt himself settle back in his body. “Okay?” Juliet asked.
“Okay.” Regulus said.
She smiled at him and filled the air with everything she left out of her letters.
He pressed her forehead to hers.
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” He said softly. “I don’t either.” Juliet said in return.
“I’ll see you tomorrow okay?” Juliet nodded.
“I’ll be waiting.” Regulus felt his heartbreak at the thought of her always waiting for him. He gave her one last kiss before parting ways to walk back to 12 Grimmauld Place.
That brings us back to the beginning.
He walked into the house quietly shutting the door as slow as possible.
“Regulus.” He froze. He turned to his mother who was waiting at the staircase.
“Mother.” He did his best to keep his fear and panic off his face.
It happened fast.
He withered and screamed on the floor. Under his mother's wand for a reason he didn't know. All he did was walk through the door. He tried to think back. To remember something, anything he had done to anger her but he came up blank. The pain making it hard to think of anything at all.
“Who is she.” Mother demanded. Regulus took a few seconds to understand her words. The pain intensified before stopping.
“Who is she Regulus, answer me.” He was frozen. She surely couldn’t have found out about Juliet. He had been so careful and Mother and Father never go into muggle London.
“Fine. Have it your way. Curcio!” Regulus shrieked in pain. This time she held him under it for 3 minutes.
“Answer me!” Her voice was cold as ice. Completely unaffected at torturing her son.
Regulus refused to answer. He wouldn’t give Juliet away.
She held him under for 5 minutes.
Then 8.
Then 10.
“Since you won’t answer I’ll use a different method. Imperio.” Mother had a dark look on her face. Regulus felt his mind fog.
“Who is she.” Regulus couldn’t help but say, “Juliet Anders,”
“How long.”
“Since we were 13.” She let go and his mind cleared. He was horrified that Mother knew. Juliet was in danger.
“Here's what we’ll do. You were meant to get the Dark Mark this summer but since you can’t seem to show loyalty you will have to earn it.” Regulus’ heart stopped
The Dark Mark? She wanted him to join the Death Eaters? What did she mean show his loyalty?
“Kill her.” Mother said her tone leaving no argument. And for the first time ever he told them “No.”
“Excuse me?” Mothers face darkened.
“I won’t kill Juliet.” Regulus struggled to stand falling to his knees with his muscles still spasming.
“Crucio.” Regulus' throat felt raw and hurt from all the screaming.
15 minutes.
If she kept this up he’d go insane.
She stared down at him. “Get up.” Regulus tried to stand but his legs were spasming too much to stand.
“I said get up! Stella!” Regulus felt a star be sliced into his arm and began to bleed, staining his white button down.
“Stella!” Another star this time on his leg.
“Stella!” This time on his stomach.
“I said up!”
“I can’t!”
“Can’t or won’t? Like how you won’t kill that filthy girl.” Mother’s face was full of disgust.
“You can’t make me kill her.” He said feeling defiant.
“I can make you do anything, Regulus.” She had a cruel smirk on her face.
“Imperio.” His brain filled with fog again. “Go up to your room.” He stood up against his will and walked up the stairs with Mother following. Once they were in his room she let go of her hold and Regulus crumbled to the ground.
“Maybe some time away will make you think straight.” She turned and shut the door and Regulus heard the key lock.
He was trapped, unable to move and Juliet was in danger. And to think hours ago he felt happy.
After what felt like hours he was able to drag himself up and to his desk and dropped into the seat. His hands were still shaking but he managed to write a short letter to Juliet about what happened and how she’s not safe. That she needed to get out of London.
He folded the letter into a bird and charmed it to fly to Juliet, forcing open his window and letting the letter fly watching it as it faded from view.
He shuffled over to his dresser and began throwing clothes onto his bed. He grabbed his school books and other sentimental items he didn’t want to lose. He packed it all in his trunk and an extra bag with an undetectable extension charm. He walked to the window looking down the four floors. How was he meant to get out?
He took a deep breath and carefully slipped his trunk out the window and dropped it. He stuck his head back out the window to see the trunk opened up when it hit the ground and some clothes were thrown about. He could work with that. He grabbed his bag and climbed out the window staring down at the pavement underneath him before taking a deep breath and letting go.
Pain. Burning hot pain. He let out a gasp. He knew what happened. He’s broken enough bones playing Quidditch and through punishments to know he broke his ankle and possibly his leg. He couldn’t do anything about it. He had to get to Juliet. He tried to stand letting out a cry when he accidentally put weight on his ankle. He was glad no one was around to question him. He grabbed some of his clothes and tightly wrapped them around his ankle as a semi splint. It would have to do for now.
He packed the rest of the clothes that fell out and began the painful walk to Juliet’s house.
He saw her when he was halfway towards her house.
“Regulus! Whats happened?” She sounded frightened. She froze at the sight of him. He reckoned he was an interesting sight. Hair disheveled, bloody clothes and an ankle wrapped in clothes.
“Just Mother. Did you get my letter? You need to leave, what are you doing here?” Regulus said panting a bit from the exertion.
“Coming to you. I could tell you needed help.” Juliet said, taking the bag from him.
“No, what I need is for you to leave. You and your family are in danger.” Regulus tried to stress the point to her.
“I told my parents and they are leaving for our summer home near the coast. I, however, am coming with you.”
“Absolutely not, I don’t even know where I’m going.” He said, “You need to leave.”
“Remember what you told me when we started dating? It’s us against the world, our storm to face. This is our storm and I refuse to let you face it alone.”
Regulus didn’t know what to say so all he said was, “I love you,”
Juliet smiled and somehow that made him feel okay.