Velvet Bond

February 1978,

There had been three moments in Regulus' life who made him wonder about the real greatness behind the Dark Lord. About his words, his need of power, his will in changing the world, in making a better one.

And these three moments made him understand that he had been a stupid for half his life, believing in people who didn't have an ounce of humanity in them. Trusting the people who mistreated him for all his life.

And he felt so stupid.
So childish.
So-

But well- let's start from the beginning.

The first thing that had made Regulus wonder about his current situation were two of the most important person in his life, James Potter and Lily Evans.
They had planted the seed of the doubt in his mind and it was finally growing. They had made him seen something that- well- before he didn't think about. It was quite embarrassing, how he proclaimed to be a curious person, how he proclaimed to be intelligent and smart and yet he needed their help to see through all those lies.
But Regulus had been born with those lies, his parents had been feeding him with racism and blood supremacist at lunch and dinner, for too many years and he- he fell for that.

The second one, was about Kreacher's wellbeing and the fact that he couldn't do nothing to protect his domestic elf. He couldn't understand the mistreatment about the other creatures, elf were useful, nice and obligated to follow their master, so why they had to treat them badly?
Why do they have to take advantage of the power they have been given?
The only thing that Regulus ever asked to Kreacher against his will - or well, Regulus perceived like that, because it was an order- was to return to him, always.
Regulus would do anything to protect or heal him after all the night Kreacher passed watching him when he was injured and Kreacher accepted.

But the third- the third moment was the one that changed all his life in a nick of time.
The third was the one that brought him out of the shell of nothingness and made him start planning revenge.
Because they had to be stopped.
Because they- they Death Eaters didn't believe in anything they told him.

The third was uncle Alphard's death.

It had been one of his first mission after he got the mark, he got the permission of going out from Hogwarts because The Dark Lord wanted him to participate, wanted him to witness what would be his life from now on.
And thinking again about that day Voldemort had it all wrong.

He still remembered Voldemort's slimy voice, Nagini hissing through his legs while her Master explained to him why they were doing that.

"We are doing this, my dear Regulus" Voldemort caressed his cheek with his long and cold fingers. "Because for things to change we must change first. Nothing will ever change if we don't take action. Personally I have nothing against the lower borns, the one who are born without magic, but I must make them understand why we have it and why they don't. They are lesser beings, and we need to put them in their right place. Just this Regulus. This and nothing more. When I'll take power, I'll stop. And you'll be with me."

And- well he should have seen his smile, he should have seen the way his eyes didn't really met his, he should have been more attentive, more intelligent. The Dark Lord didn't meant any of that he wanted to have paws, he wanted the be the one and only leader, he wanted to kill everyone and everything he met on his way.

But he was so scared, the Dark Lord was talking to him alone, touching his hair, his body, his cheeks, his lips and he didn't- he didn't want to be there, but at the same time he didn't want to disappoint him, he didn't want his parent to punish him. And for the first time he thought that they would be happy about him, they would- they would- maybe- just- love him? Just a little bit? Because he did well?

Behave, behave, behave

"So, Regulus, will you help me? Will you be one of the best soldiers I could ask for?" And he just nodded, his voice, gone, his pupils dilated, his throat hoarse.
Talk, please talk, Regulus

"Of course My Lord, I'll be your best soldier, My Lord" he finally was able to say.
His posture stiff, his hands clasped together at his back, his knock almost white.

"Good, I'll keep updated about your doing. You and me, will do great things"

He was disruptive, they were far from his native places and he didn't really know where, Lucius brought him there and he didn't explain him a lot.
He just had to obey, follow the lead, and kill some mudblood.

Easy enough -he thought- It just would have been his first time killing somebody- nothing to worry about-, just taking a life from someone, stopping them from living their life, taking them from their loved ones.

Kill somebody at sixteen years old was not on his wishlist.

But he was there, Voldemort was tracking him down, spies floated that place, checking on everyone and he was scared, scared, scared.

But he couldn't say that to no one.
He just wanted to crawl in Pandora's hug and never leave her again.
He just wanted to be with Barty and laugh at his jokes.
He just wanted to be with Evan and listen to him bragging about his crush.
He just wanted to be with Dorcas and talk about gossip.
He just wanted James and Lily but- well- it was too late for that-

And it didn't matter anyway.

He was there and he had to follow orders.

As the ominous clouds rolled in, casting a dark shadow over the quaint village, a lone figure emerged from the mist. Clad in flowing black robes adorned with the unmistakable mark of the Death Eaters, the wizard's eyes gleamed with malevolence as he raised his wand, ready to unleash chaos upon the unsuspecting inhabitants.
He couldn't see the person well, he was too far and he had a hood on his head, but as the mark showed on the sky he trembled a bit, his breath stopping.

You shouldn't be scared, this is what you choose.
But, did he?
He didn't want that. He had been coerced.

But from the depths of the village, another figure emerged, he was a wizard, must be, because he was not shocked, he was not scared, he was not screaming like the other person near him.

With a flick of his wand, the Death Eater sent a barrage of dark curses hurtling toward the village, intent on spreading fear and destruction.
And it started.
Like that.
The Death Eater who was alone before, now was accompanied by his companion.
He should be there, with them.
He should followed them.

Follow the lead Lucius had said.

The battle raged on, the air thick with the clash of magic and the cries of the innocent. The Death Eaters fought with ruthless determination, their dark powers fueled by cruelty. He didn't understand. And the scream around him didn't make his situation any better. He was going crazy, he was exploding, his head was out of him, hiss eyes were shiny, tears were formed at the end of his eyes but they didn't flow. They were frozen as his body, as his mind.
What- what was this? Everything was so wrong.
This was- this was bad. The could only thing he could think of was bad, bad, bad.

Scream, pain, death and laugh arose, and the laugh were the thing that unsettled him the most.
How could some laugh?
How, how, how?
Did they were witnessing the same things?
Did they were seeing people get killed?
Their eyes open wide, in the death embrace?

And Regulus already knew that he failed his test.
He didn't kill anyone. He couldn't bring himself to do that.
He was just there, watching, his eyes widened, he couldn't bring himself to move his wand, he couldn't kill, he couldn't, he couldn't-

Please, please, please Merlin, save me.

But then he saw the wizard who stood up against the Death Eaters.
He got near enough to see his face. To see his features. To see his blue icy eyes.
The eyes of a Black.

It was Alphard.

It wasn't a common wizard.

But he was a Black.

So why they were fighting against him?
Why the Death Eaters were attacking him?
He didn't understand, he was- Alphard was- one of the most noble pureblood in the wizarding world, so why they were trying to kill him?
Why his uncle was fighting them?
What was happening?
They shouldn't- they- they were- the same side- the world that they wanted to create- they- why? What?

Who was worth of saving if even the Blacks were at fault?
What Voldemort was really trying to achieve?
He didn't want a better society he just wanted to destroy everything and took over.
He gagged, the bile in his mouth.

Regulus stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched the chaos unfold before him. Smoke billowed into the sky, mingling with the screams of terrified civilians.

But then everything happened, too quickly, too wrong, too bad.
They casted a killing curse.
A lot of them against one.
Cowards

But his uncle didn't dodge.
He hadn't been able to.

So his uncle died.
In. Front. Of. His. Fucking. Eyes.

Alphard took his last breath.
In. Front. Of. His. Fucking. Eyes.

He witnessed the death of his uncle.
In. Front. Of. His. Fucking. Eyes.

The one who told him fairytales at night, the one who protected him and his brother during the holidays, the only one in the Black family who really loved them, died in front of his eyes.
And he did absolutely nothing to prevent that.
He stood there, frozen, weak, motionless while his uncle was brutally killed.

And well- he already knew that that image would soon become one of his worst nightmares.

His uncle, Alphard, lay lifeless on the ground, surrounded by the destruction wrought by the Death Eaters. Tears welled up in Regulus' eyes as he clenched his fists, his whole body shaking with rage and grief, for the first time he felt something.
Because it made no sense.
Why did they have to kill him?
He was one of them?
He was one of the most important wizard.
He was- he was- he was his uncle.

He tried to scream, but his lungs were asking for more, more, more, he tried to go there, to feel his heartbeat, his pulse, anything that could tell Regulus that it was only a cruel joke, that his uncle wasn't really dead. It must have been a test. Because they were there to test him.
It must have been.
His uncle was still alive.
He must have been.

But Alphard didn't move, the war, the scream, the fight around theme continued and neither he nor Alphard moved an inch. He knelt near his body but he didn't touch him, he couldn't bring himself to, he couldn't- he didn't deserve that. He was dead and it was his fault.

And for the first time he saw.
He saw the real meaning behind Voldemort kind words.
He saw the world he wanted to achieve.
A reign of terror, with himself as a king.

Every fiber of his being screamed for revenge, but he knew he was no match for the dark forces that now ravaged his homeland, not now, not yet, but soon.
All he could do now was bow his head in sorrow, his heart heavy with the weight of loss and helplessness.

But from that moment on, Regulus vowed to do whatever it took to bring an end to the tyranny that had claimed so much that he held dear.
From that moment he swore on the lifeless body on the ground that he would change everything.
That he would become strong enough to defeat Voldemort and to save the last people he had got.
He didn't want to see anyone else die in front of his eyes while he did nothing.

"Regulus, run! They are coming" Lucius called for him, Aurors were arriving and he couldn't do anything than leave his uncle body there, watching his blue eyes for the last time. "The Dark Lord will not be pleased by this." And right now, The Dark Lord could go and fuck himself.

I'm so sorry

----------------------

He popped out at his cousin house, Dobby welcomed him like always and he nodded at him. "Does Dobby have to call for Mastel Lucius?"

"No Dobby, I'll go there myself, thank you." He took a little time to breathe and then he walked past the elf who disappeared in the kitchen, preparing the usual tea he took when he went in Malfoy Manor.

"Good evening, Narcissa. Good evening Lucius." he entered the room and he immediately saw Narcissa with Draco in her arms and Lucius coddling with them. He didn't like Lucius a lot, but he was better than Orion or Rabastan, so it was an achievement. And he seemed pretty good with Draco or his cousin.

"Good evening cousin, I didn't expect you today" Regulus crouched near the baby who was getting bigger and bigger with time and gave him a little peck on the nose.

"Did you need something Regulus?" Lucius smiled at him and he nodded, taking a deep breath as he left Draco in his mother's embrace.

"Well-" he went near the fireplace and sat on the couch, crossing his legs together. "Father is dead so I'm the Lord now" he said and he watched as shock took place on their faces. Lucius raised an eyebrow, thinking more functionally than his cousin about the changes that this environment would give him.

"Oh Regulus, I'm sorry-"

"Don't be Narcissa- I'm good and Orion was sick from quite some time, you know? It was only a matter of weeks." He explained lying, moving his arms around and when Dobby came and offered him a cup of tea he didn't say no.

"Still he was your father" she looked at him with her blue eyes and he licked his lips, unhappy, testing him in some ways. So? What did that mean?

"I need your help for the funeral, I have too little time and I'm too busy to organize it." he said getting to the point, he didn't have time to chitchat, and surely not about his father who had just killed.

"And your mother? Should I pay her a visit?" and at that he froze. Fuck- he didn't really thought about that. He didn't thought about Narcissa visiting his mother and well- he didn't need that.

"She reacted- bad to his death. I don't want you to see her like that- she was always so adamant about perfection that she doesn't want anyone to see her at the bottom. She went mad Narcissa, and Kreacher is taking plenty care of her. So don't worry."

"She- did she do- something- to you?" He shrugged his shoulders, nodding a bit.
Regulus was letting her thinking that so she would not put foot in his house.
Sorry Narcissa

Narcissa had the same adversity with torture and punishment as him, because she went through that a lot in her lifetime so- the only mention about it made her blood cold. And with Draco in her arms who slept peacefully she didn't want anything like that ever again.

Narcissa bought a hand on her mouth, her blue eyes watching Draco in her arms, caressing his head. She was such a good mother.

"Can I talk a bit with my cousin Lucius? I need to talk to her in confidence. And then can I come in your study to- uhm- ask something? I am the Lord now so I need to know more and I need all the access I can obtain. You surely can understand that, right Lucius? Will you help me?" Lucius smiled at him and got up. He loved attention and he loved being seen as witty and useful. He wanted to be seen as more powerful than what he really was, and that was okay- Regulus knew how to flatter him very well, so he shouldn't find any real problem.

"Sure Lord Black, I'll prepare a drink to toast to that." He grinned and went up, Narcissa rolled her eyes.

"Sorry, he has no manners."

"I don't really care."

"You really don't care about your father's death right?"

"No. No I don't. I hoped he suffered a bit more. He was awful to me and Sirius for all my life" he said almost angrily.
It was so weird he didn't feel an ounce of sorrow in him?
Was he really a monster?
But he was doing all that for something better, he wanted to finish this war. He didn't care if he died in doing so. He was just tired and numb.

"You have been changing, Regulus" Narcissa whispered to him, getting up and hugging him. He took Draco in his arms, watching the baby and he almost smiled. He was so in love with him.
Like he was already in love with Harry.

"For things to change I must change first" he shrugged his shoulders remembering the words that Voldemort spoke to him and he shivered a bit, but then he rolled his eyes recomposing himself, and opted for cuddling Draco.

"For things to- change? What do you mean with that Regulus?"

"It's better if you don't know and don't ask what you don't want to know. It's safer this way."

"I'll not lie to you and say that I'm not scared about your wellbeing. What are you trying to get Regulus? Is it dangerous?"

"Don't you want to finish this fucking war? Well- I want that and I don't care what path will win. I'm doing my own job and I'm hoping it'll be enough to get through the end"

"Are you considering treason?" She spoke calmly.
She really didn't care about the cause either.
With Draco in her arms she only cared about him and about saving him.
And he would take this to have her in his path.

"Possibly."
She hummed and he continued.
"Are you not scared for Draco? Narcissa he, Voldemort, wanted to kill the Potters' child. A child even smaller than your son. A child. What do you think he would do when he will wake up and he will not be happy about Lucius' work? He will came for your son because he's like that, he resolve his problem taking out the weakness. Are you willing to sacrifice your son?"

"He- I-" his cousin closed her eyes and then she asked him something he didn't expect her to. "Did- did you save the child? Harry, I think he's called. It was you?"

He didn't meet her gaze but he nodded. "Yes- yes, I did that. He's safe and alive. And I'll not apologize for the outcome."

"You did good. I almost thought I had lost you but you are still there. I'm glad to see that" Narcissa hugged him tightly and he posed his head on her shoulder. "Cry if you have to, or laugh-" Regulus shook his head, finding comfort in just staying still on her shoulder, in her embrace, the baby in his arms sleeping peacefully.

And then he thought of James.
How would it be to be so near to James, to feel his warmth, to feel his breath, to see his stupid glasses, his beautiful smile, his laugh.
And fuck- fuck- fuck- he was really going to cry.

Because he missed that. He missed the intimacy, he missed the talk in the astronomy tower, the muggle song James made him listen to.
He was tired of being so away from him, he knew that James right now didn't want even to see him, that after their last speech James would prefer him dead than alive.
But he didn't care. He would die for him nonetheless.
Because James gave him so much love that he still had to make up for that.

"I just miss him some days more than others" he whispered in his cousin neck and that was the most revealing thing he said in the last months.

"Potter?" She whispered back, trying to don't ruin the moment and he snorted in disbelief.

"How- how did- no! What-"

"Reggie-" she said caressing his hair like he was his child. "You forget sometimes that I knew you- I started the sixth year when you were on your first and- well I already knew. I was watching from afar, you were so timid that I was scared Sirius's friend would scare you away, so big and excited, like dogs. But when James Potter came to you-" she chuckled and he didn't remember what she was going to say.

He remember thinking that James was like- the most beautiful and particular boy he had avere seen- with his smile - James actually smiled at him, for real not like his parents!- but it was everything so confusing the he didn't remember much.

"You lit up Reggie, you were hiding behind Sirius' legs and for him you went out and started smiling so fondly that- well- it was obvious. You liked him since the first time you saw him- you just weren't used to it. You weren't use to love, and more importantly to love a boy. You needed so much more time, but I see you did it at the end" and he blushed hardly. He was- well- he didn't think today he would talk about his old/still crush in front of her cousin.

"And yet I was able to ruin everything" he mumbled to himself and she watched him fondly, a warmth he didn't deserve. He was a monster, he had killed people, even his own father, he wasn't- she couldn't- he didn't deserve love. Or Narcissa.

"You- you were unlucky Regulus. Every one of us but Sirius and Andy were unlucky. They got away but you didn't. You couldn't. Not after Sirius. So you did what you had to do in- this environment. You were a child. You are still a child. And now a Lord. But I remember how wrecked you were, how much your parents were hard on you, I was almost scared- they would kill you. But you did it. I'm not saying you are perfect but no body is-" he wanted to argue that James Potter was perfect but he closed his mouth. He couldn't be sappy about James, not now. Not when he was living his life with Lily and their son.

"You are talking to me like I'm your son"

"Well- you are a bit." She smiled at him. "I took care of you after Sirius left so- well- you must recognize me as your big sis thank you." Regulus chuckled.
And then "I'm glad too that Orion is dead. He was really awful to you. He never recognized you and you don't deserve that." He looked into her eyes and gave her a quickly nod, he understood what she was trying to say so there was no need for replying, but he was glad Narcissa had not been fooled by his parents in thinking that without his brother they would have been more lenient.

"Alright Cissa. I'll go to Lucius now. Had big duty and big things to carry on." He gave Draco to Narcissa and he became his old self again.
He was a Lord now.
He had to defeat Voldemort.
So- no more weakness. No more cry.

"I'll think about it, cousin. About what you asked me" and he understood.
Narcissa would have come to him when needed.
And he would have protected Draco on his own life.
"And let me do the funeral. You'll be enough occupied. I'll organize it at the Malloy Manor, so you don't have to open up Grimmauld Place." Regulus nodded thankful, and then he disappeared on the staircase.

Regulus entered the room, it was quite dark for his liking but he didn't complain.
Lucius was checking something in the drawer and he quickly put the thing away, the only thing Regulus could manage to feel was the tip of darkness that came out from that.
Weird

And even though Regulus preferred cats he knew how to be a dog when he wanted, so he wouldn't forget about that easily.

Voldemort could be giving away his Horcruxes?

He really trusted Lucius so much?

Who else could be a part of that? Bellatrix? Rabastan? His father? Unlikely.

How many of them?

"So, Regulus, cheers to that. I hope I'm not overstepping." Lucius smiled and winked at him and he started his job of flattering.

"No, not at all. I'm quite happy to finally have this power, I trained for all my life, so I just want to held right the Blacks name. It is time that I start the role as the head of my family."

"I'm pleased to hear you speak like that. You were always the most intelligent in your family, I already knew that you would be heir one day." and he rolled his eyes, because what the fuck? He hated when people tried to fuck him.
Nobody expected him to be the family heir, he was the fucking spare, with Sirius in the room he just disappeared so- no one- not Lucius, or his parents thought about this day. So just shut up.

"Right-" he took seat in the armchair Lucius pointed him to "so now you know what this position will mean in the future, right? Not only me but also Narcissa will take advantage from this" he saw a glint of excitement in Lucius' eyes.
Lucius liked that.
Lucius wanted to get all the power he could achieve and would do anything.
And he was giving him everything he even wanted. An access to the highest rank.

"I surely hope so, Narcissa always talks about you and your time together, so it's only right to unify the family again."

"Sorry- they must not be happy memories" he fake-smiled at him and Lucius burst out laughing and he laughed with him.

"Well Narcissa said otherwise- she always cared so much about you" and that- well he was quite happy to hear with that even though he didn't know if it was real or not.

"So for the sake of this relationship- If I ask something to you, will you be honest?" He drank a bit of liquor, savoring the flavor, it was expensive, good, and strong. So good.

"Regulus, don't joke like that. As I just said you are family now, Narcissa is working on your father's funeral, so honestly is a must here. Ask me anything." He bit his lips, satisfied.

"Can you help me with the latest news? What did the Lord was focusing on? As the Lord Black I must be aware of everything. Ready for when he'll wake up." He explained shrugging his shoulders and playing with the glass of liquor.
He carefully watched Lucius' expression and he saw that the man took the bait.
But why should he not?

Regulus was just a beginner who wanted to satisfy his Lord, he didn't know about his betrayal so, why would Lucius deny him anything?

"With pleasure, Regulus, but unfortunately I cannot tell you much. He was focusing more on the werewolves pack, you know? The Dark Lord had to take care of this nuisance from the Order before considering the Minister. But- what day it is today?"

"The eleventh" Regulus said mechanically while his head was starting to spin around.
A nuisance from the Order.
A nuisance-
A-
Oh god he only knew one person who could be called nuisance- and- he was fucked. Regulus himself was fucked- because if he was right he had to step in again and- what the hell? Merlin- everything had to happen now?

"Yeah- tonight- tonight the pack will took care of the nuisance" Lucius continued not observant enough to see the panic in Regulus' eyes.

Fine.

He must learn who was this nuisance.
Please don't be Remus Lupin.
Don't be Remus Lupin.
Everyone but him.

"How-" he coughed, he tried to stall his breath. "How did The Dark Lord planned to do that? I must say I'm quite curious to see how he has planned to have his job done."

"Don't know much, don't care much. They are only a branch of animals, owling and hunting with the moon. Disgusting beast, I must say."

Regulus cursed internally. He must have his answers. And he must have them now. Before he committed a fucking homicide in his cousin's house. Narcissa had already one funeral to prepare, and it was enough.

"Oh- I must say that I'm a bit disappointed. Do you think that Rabastan knows something else? I must visit Bellatrix tonight as well as Narcissa. But I thought of coming here before, because- well- my relationship with your wife is special." He moved to stand but Lucius poured another glass of liquor to him. Regulus smiled behind the glass.

"I don't think that Rabastan knows something else. I mean- he is the brute force in The Dark Lord's plan, nothing else."
Regulus nodded because he was aware of that.
Rabastan dueled well but nothing more than that, he had no mind in panning and making strategies, and that was useful to Voldemort who needed subjects to sent at war without overthrown him in the meantime.
But a little competition between him and Lucius will do good to his plan.

"So are you telling me that I only got to sit around here while waiting his awakening? That's- degrading. A Lord must know the plans that are made, you'll soon understand that I'm nothing like my father. I plan on being at his right side when the time will come, but without a little help here, I can't do a lot" Regulus fake pouted.
Lucius had to know something.

"Fine, Regulus. Fine. I see you are already bossy, right mind for a family guide." Lucius laughed again and he sat more comfortably on the chair.

Fucking finally. he rolled his eyes, taking a sip.

"I don't know about this plan much- but he called Greyback, the one who turned half of the pack- you know? The same guy who is the pack leader-" Regulus froze, his blood cold, a pack leader? Voldemort really gave nothing to the fate.
"I think The Lord planned a fight between werewolf, you know, one of those fight for the territory or for the lead, some shit like that. But this time- the guy- Lupin I think- has to die. The Dark Lord was very adamant about it. He cannot let this brat go and turn the werewolf against our cause."

And Regulus knew. He already knew that he had to postpone his research for another fucking life mission. He closed his eyes, cursing internally.
His brother and his lot would kill him.

"Lupin? As Remus Lupin?" He fainted innocence, his throat hoarse.
He already knew that Remus was a werewolf.
Being obsessed with Sirius and James made him watch them a lot during the years, and he was not daft enough to not notice the fact that at every full moon Lupin disappeared.

"Oh yes, now I remember. I think he was your brother's roommate. And the Order best shot to get through the werewolves."
Oh trust me Lucius, they were not only roommates.
He bite his cheeks to not laugh.

But at the same time he was pretty shocked to hear that Remus Lupin, fresh out of school, seventeen years old, had been the best shot of the Order.
Fuck he was a teenager at that time- what Albus expected him to do?
Dumbledore didn't have no other werewolf than Lupin?
And what the hell was doing Remus? The martyr?

"Oh well- it's pretty interesting as a plan. Our Lord is very knowledgeable as I already knew- but Lucius- tell me something more, I must learn from him, right?" Lucius smiled at him and he sat more comfortably.

Well- the game was starting.

And the night would be very long.

Regulus only hoped for the better, he only hoped to be in time, after all, how many places would there be in their area where werewolves gathered to sing to the moon?