The Turmoils of an Heir
28th of October
He sighed as he entered the house, his mother's high-pitched voice echoing in the hallway. He cursed himself for not bringing a Headache Relief potion and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Regulus changed his posture to look the least intimidating as possible as he walked towards the Drawing Room, his mother's voice getting higher and higher as he approached the room.
“...has become! A disgrace, Orion. Our two sons have shamed this family in every way possible,” Walburga's words almost made Regulus turn around and leave, but he knew he had to confront his parents at some point so he kept walking.
His mother had her back turned, but he could see the grim expression on his father's face as he nodded at everyone his wife said. Regulus wanted to rub his forehead to calm his nerves in some way, but he didn't want to look meek and act like a little boy in front of his parents. He was certain they would use it against him if he did. Just try being respectful, he thought.
His father was the first to realise he was there, and by the look on the man's face, Regulus' visit was not a welcomed one. He stepped inside the room, shoulders tense, waiting for his mother to notice his presence.
The look on Orion's face must have alerted her as she turned around to see just who was behind her. Regulus stopped himself from making a sour face as his mother's eyes widened and her face got red. Merlin, help me, he pleaded in his head.
“You! Decided to finally show your face, haven't you? You should be ashamed to even come to this house, you blood-traitor," Regulus couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the insult, but said nothing. “How disgusted your father and I are of you, Regulus Orion Black. All of the years of teaching you how to behave correctly and it all was for nothing. Have you no regard for your family? You're the heir to one of the most powerful houses in this country, and yet you behaved like a mere peasant, a nobody. Is that what you wish to be? A nobody, just like you brother?! You both disgust me, if I knew when you were children that this was how you'd become I would've made sure to put you two in line.”
Regulus sighed and walked towards a chair, which only served to enrage his mother more as he turned his back to her. He ignored his father, not willing to spend a second looking at such a powerless man. He looked around the room, trying to find something to occupy his mind with as his mother berated him. Regulus looked at the Black Family Tapestry, tracing the many names of his ancestors. He ignored it again as his mother started to pace the room and curse every name under the sun, preferring to look at the current living generation on the tapestry. His eyes passed by his cousins, lamenting about the charred spot where Andromeda's face used to be. He looked at another burned spot, this one where Sirius used to be, and he felt conflicted about his feelings regarding his brother. They were still not on the best of terms, even though their relationship was better than it had been in years.
He looked at his own name and gave a small smile when he imagined Hedwyn's name being there with his, as well as the names of their future children. Regulus was distracted by thoughts about the future when his mother got closer to him, making him jump from the surprise. He looked at her face, still red with anger, and couldn't help but sneer at the sight. Regret almost came as he saw his mother's eyes widening more as she took on his expression, but he decided to continue to look at her in disdain.
“Take that expression out of your face, young man! Just who do you think you are to disrespect your mother like this?" Walburga's voice only got higher, making Regulus ears hurt and his annoyance grew. His nails dug into the chair's armrest and he scoffed at her.
Before he could berate again for his insolence, he got up and stepped close to her. Walburga took a step back, surprised by her son confronting her. “Will you shut your mouth for once in your life? No! I'll be the one speaking now. I'm tired of you belittling me in this manner. Tired! Who do you think you are, mother? I am no longer a child and I demand to be respected as the adult that I am. Not only that, but I am also the heir to this house, therefore my position in this family is higher than yours,” the walls of the house shook as his words sank into them. “For too long I have allowed you to treat me like nothing more than a pet for use to control, a marionette for you to play with and decide its every move. I will no longer stand for this disrespect! You will learn how to respect me as your son and future lord, or I swear I'll cast you out of this family when I become Lord Black.”
Walburga was so taken aback by Regulus confronting her that she couldn't come up with something to say. Her face was no longer red but pale, afraid after her son's words were heard and acknowledged by the house. She tried to look at her husband in a desperate attempt for support, but Orion was just as shocked as her. She took a step back, bumping on a sofa, and losing her balance for a second.
Taking in his wife's shock, an expression he truly could not recall ever seeing on her face, Orion cleared his throat in an attempt to call attention to himself. When Regulus' gaze went to him, Orion had to stop himself from shivering as his son's eyes showed nothing but anger. “Regulus, you should never talk to your mother like this. Even if you're the future lord of our family, that is no excuse to attack your mother."
By the way that Regulus looked at him, Orion knew he had made a mistake by getting his son's attention. He approached his father, forgetting about his astounded mother for now. “Attack her? She was insulting me the moment she put her eyes on me, but I am the one in the wrong? I could say I'm surprised by you defending her, father, but that would be a lie. Always the meek husband cowering behind his wife, aren't you? You are not better than her. You, father, are nothing but a coward. You cower behind your wife, you cower inside this house. Do you have no self-respect at all?”
Orion couldn't come up with any excuse as Regulus insulted him. The man looked at his wife, who was still standing beside the sofa, but she gave him no help either. He looked at his son, his mind still trying to come up with something, but Regulus' stare only made him more uncomfortable.
Regulus scoffed at his father. “Nothing to say, yes? I thought so. So this is what is going to happen: you will sit down-” he said while looking at his mother. ”-and I will tell you the reason why I am here.” He waited for his mother to take a seat next to her husband before he took the invites from a pocket and gave them to his parents. The two looked at him with confused looks but he said nothing to them.
Walburga was the first to open it, being followed then by Orion. As she read, Walburga's eyebrows rose and got lost behind her thick black hair. Orion looked at the invite, then to Regulus, and back to the card in his hands.
“A wedding? You're going to marry this man?” Walburga said after a while. “Do you even know him? It has not even been a year since this man arrived in this country, so I know you haven't known him for longer than a few months. Has he expressed what his ideologies are? He could very much be nothing more than a mudbloob. Is that what you want for this house?”
Regulus refrained from insulting his mother again and only left out an annoyed sound. “Hedwyn and I are together and that's all you need to know. As for his blood status, my fiancé is very much a pureblood. Not that is any of your business, of course. All you need to know is that the wedding will be in December and that is better if you attend because I won't allow you to shame me and make people spread rumours about your absence. My grandparents, especially, told me that, in the case you decide not to attend the wedding, the two of you might as well consider yourselves disinherited.”
He knew that he was being quite harsh with his parents, but the knowledge that they would not take him seriously or treat him with respect if he just lowered his head and let them talk over him was very present in his mind. His mother especially would not respect him if he did not put his foot down.
One thing that eased Regulus' concerns about his parents' acting was the memory of when he lifted the Imperius Curse, setting them free after a long time under his control. The image of the shock on his mother's face as she cowered away from him was one he should revisit in a Pensieve. Even though Walburga acted like she had not been under Regulus' control, it was clear from every time he stood his ground that she remembered the experience very well. As for Orion, Regulus didn't bother with him as it seemed that, after decades of kneeling to the Dark Lord, the never-to-be lord the House of Black had no spine to stand against his youngest son.
Regulus didn't say a word to his parents as he got up and left the room, heading to the stairs. His fingers touched the many objects in his way towards the stairs, something he did often as a child and that brought many memories to him now. He nodded the portrait of great-grandfather Sirius Phineas Black II, someone Regulus had spent many days talking to after it became clear to him that his brother would never hold the title of Lord Black.
He stopped in front of the door to the two bedrooms, on his and the other Sirius', and he couldn't help but feel a tightening in his chest. Even after years since Sirius had been cast out of the family, bitterness still filled Regulus' thoughts. It still felt unreal to him that, after years of being prepared to become the lord of their house, Sirius would no longer hold the title.
Opening the door to his room and stepping inside, he put the thoughts about his brother to the side, choosing to pay attention to himself instead of Sirius. The room looked the same, not that he wasn't expecting to. Regulus knew that Kreacher, an elf so devoted to him, would not allow his master's bedroom to become a dust-filled space. He silently thanked the house-elf for that, for he had no will to clean an entire room today.
An old feeling of relaxation engulfed him as the place where he felt the safest throughout the years felt just the same as it always had. He sneered at the pieces of newspapers on his wall, all detailing a raid by the Death Eaters or an apparition of the Dark Lord himself in some Muggle village or town. With a flick of his wand, all the news pieces vanished. He looked around his room, taking in the memories of how his life, and perception of the world, had changed in less than a year.
It was still odd to him, to feel that his views on matters he thought he was so sure about changed. All because of one man. He smiled as the mere muse over his past led him to the man who transformed his life so completely. No longer he was a follower, a vassal to an egoistic and demented man. Now he was free, and his future never looked brighter.
That's not to say that all his views, particularly on blood, had changed. How could they after he spent years listening intently to his parents' every word? It wasn't as if he hated mud- muggle-borns and half-bloods, he just felt uneasy speaking about them or talking about blood in general. He had been a blind follower of the Dark Lord, after all, even before he took the Mark. The now-vanished pieces of newspapers, a weird-looking place of worship where he had spent hours looking at and imagining himself appearing in them, were a testament to his old beliefs.
He sighed and sat on his bed, hands caressing the silk bedding. One of his views that had not changed was his opinions on Muggles, as he still thought of them as beneath witches and wizards, as well as believing them to be a danger to Wizarding society — with the bombs that could destroy entire cities. Oddly enough, that was something Hedwyn didn't seem to have a problem with, but perhaps they only had not discussed the matter in detail.
In the corner of his eye, as he glanced over the snakes on his wallpaper as they moved around, Regulus could see a small figure by the bedroom door. “I know you're there, Kreacher,” the elf jumped as his master spoke. “You may come in, there is no point in waiting by the door.”
“Kreacher is sorry for spying on Master Regulus,” the elf rubbed his hands in a circular motion as he stepped inside the room. He then fixed the old pillowcase he wore, maybe trying to look more presentable for his master.
Regulus raised an eyebrow at the small creature, not believing that excuse for a second. “Do you have something to tell me, Kreacher?” he asked as he saw the house-elf change with weight from one foot to the other.
The elf shook his head, so Regulus just let it go. It was not the first and maybe it wouldn't be the last time Kreacher came to Regulus' bedroom just to walk around, putting things into place and cleaning any speck of dust he found.
“Hem-hem,” he stopped himself from groaning as he heard the very familiar sound of his mother clearing her throat. He turned around, moving his eyes from the family crest painted over his bed and towards his parents who were already entering his room — uninvited.
“Yes, mother?”
“We are here to discuss your... marriage, Regulus,” Orion was the first to speak, which made Regulus curious. Maybe they were going for an amicable approach?
“And what is there to discuss, father?”
He saw his mother roll her eyes, annoyed about her husband not going straight to the point. “Your father and I wish to know if there is any contract between you and Peverell. As you do know, that's the way of our family, therefore we wanted to know what — if you do have a contract — the expectations are.”
“We do not have a contract, mother,” he answered with a bored tone, not interested in the conversation at all. Regulus' mistake was not realising how much his mother's opinions on the matter were close to obsessive.
Regulus found himself enduring a relentless succession of what he considered to be the most excruciating, mentally draining, and headache-inducing thirty minutes of his life. Walburga engaged in a relentless stream of impassioned arguments, fervently advocating for the absolute necessity of a marriage contract and meticulously outlining why it was crucial for Regulus's protection. Each argument seemed to stretch on interminably, punctuated by moments of intense frustration and escalating tension, as Walburga articulated her unwavering stance on the matter.
At one point, when his mother turned her back to him to do Merlin knows what and Regulus took that as an opportunity to drink a Headache Relief Potion, he also noted that his father was doing absolutely nothing to stop his wife from going on about contracts forever. Regulus was certain his father was enjoying his torment.
“Mother,” said Regulus, trying to get his mother's attention and make her stop speaking for a second. “Mother!”
Walburga turned around slowly, a questioning expression on her face as she locked eyes with Regulus. Silence hung in the air for several seconds. Regulus, feeling the weight of the quietness, sighed with relief, grateful for his mother giving him a few moments of peace. He then extended his arm and pointed towards a chain in the corner of the room, silently indicating his desire for his mother to take a seat.
To his astonishment, Walburga complied without complaining. She walked over to the chair with an unusual calmness and seated herself gracefully, refraining from bombarding her son with the usual barrage of questions or complaints. It was a rare moment of tranquillity, one that Regulus deeply appreciated. As for Orion, standing still close to the window and observing the two others, was left where he was, as Regulus was not feeling such generosity towards his father.
"I'm glad you care enough about my relationship with Hedwyn to think about giving me some reassurance by writing a marriage contract for us, but it is not necessary. No, let me speak. Hedwyn and I will be married by the end of the year, Mother. I understand that, in your eyes, my situation seems quite unstable, but I can assure you that my relationship with Hedwyn is nothing but honest. I understand that, for most families, contracts are important to protect both parties from potential issues, but I know that isn't the case for us. And, I mean this in the nicest way possible, Hedwyn and I are above this. While I appreciate your concern, my fiancé and I are not marrying for political or financial reasons, as many pureblood marriages are, but because we simply love each other. Not all marriages are the same, Mother. Actually, your marriage with Father was a lot like mine with Hedwyn, as we are together not for any grandeur ideas or goals but simply because we love each other."
Regulus recognized the expression on his mother's face and knew that she was trying her best to find the right words to say. He was relieved that she didn't immediately start screaming at him, which meant that she didn't think what he had said was outrageous. He eyed his father, more as to let his mother think for more time than because he cared for what the man had to say. What he found was the man nodding silently, eyes lost in thought.
“I do think Regulus is right in this regard, dear,” Orion said while looking at his wife, shocking his son as the heir did not believe his father would agree with him ever. But as surprised as he was, there was no way he would let that opportunity go. He was a Slytherin after all.
“Thank you, Father,” he gave the older man a nod. “Do you see now, Mother? Again, though I appreciate your concern, I do not believe Hedwyn and I need a contract.”
Letting a defeated sound, Walburga seemed to realise that no matter what she said, her son would not go on with her wishes. She just nodded at Regulus, no deceit or anger in her eyes.
“Very well, Regulus. I'll let you take care of your marriage without interfering. Come on, Orion, it's almost tea time.”
As his parents left his bedroom, Regulus threw himself on his bed, tired from all the arguing and listening he had to do. He closed his eyes and allowed himself some rest. As for Kreacher, the elf continued to dust every object in the room, all the while eyeing Regulus to make sure that his master was sleeping soundly.
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“You know how dangerous this will be, Orion. With the Dark Lord more powerful every passing year, Regulus will not remain untouched. Not after his betrayal and I doubt the Dark Lord would ever forgive him,” Walburga Black quietly passed around the Drawing Room, careful to not wake her son sleeping in his bedroom.
Orion rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. He shook his head, frustrated with the situation they now had to live with. “No, he won't forgive them. Tom was never the forgiving person,” he ignored his wife hissing at him as he said his old housemate's true name. He sat on a chair with a view of the Black Family Tree. Orion looked at his ancestors and silently pleaded for them to protect his legacy. “But Regulus didn't seem concerned with any possible attacks against him or Peverell, did he? That's the oddest part in my opinion. As the Slytherin that he's always been, Regulus would first try to find a way out before jumping into a dangerous alliance.”
Walburga stopped pacing, a concerned look on her face. “You don't think he's been... bewitched, do you? I've heard from Lady Rosier that her husband spoke of how strong Peverell's magic felt. If someone so powerful could have the heir to the House of Black under his control...”
Orion shook his head. “Impossible. I put new wards in the house to detect any mind control after our unfortunate episode,” the two adults shivered as they remembered being under the Imperius Curse for what felt like years. He would never admit how proud he was of his son since he came back to his senses. To maintain two people under the Unforgivable for so long is no easy feat. Their son truly was gifted.
Walburga's opinion was not so different from her husband's as she respected Dark Magic above most things. Even if she was the one suffering under the curse, it had been worth it just for her to realise her son did not shy away from his roots.
“If Regulus was under any curse or potion I'd be the first one to know,” Orion continued. “It does raise the question, however, about what the reason for his calm behaviour is. If feels as if he knows something that we do not. Something crucial. Could it be that they are planning to leave the country?”
Now it was Walburga's time to disagree. “No. Arcturus would never allow his heir to leave his country of birth. Can you imagine the disgrace? No, there is something else we cannot see. Something that would allow Regulus and his future husband to stay, perhaps? I also doubt Peverell would come to the country, claim his lordship, and then just leave. Nothing makes sense.”
“Well, we know some things, don't we? Regulus is our son, not a stranger. We know he would never to someone like Dumbledore, not even if he was desperate, so it's no refuge he has. As you said, he's not leaving the country either. Two possibilities are gone then. We just need to find out what keeps him here, confident enough to not lock himself somewhere forever.”
Walburga was nodding as her husband spoke. “You don't think that...?” she turned her head to him, waiting for Orion to finish. She analysed his face, a thoughtful look adorned his features and, for some reason, that intrigued Walburga. “You just told me that Raphaël believes Peverell to be powerful, yes? And, as opportunistic as Rosier is, I don't see why he would lie about this.”
“You think Lord Peverell is powerful enough to go against the Dark Lord?” Walburga had a sceptical look on her face.
“I would now, really. But what if Regulus believes so? Wouldn't that be a good reason for him being so nonchalant about having a target on his back? He must know the Dark Lord wants him dead for leaving his side.”
“That could be the case... But certainly, our son would be so foolish as to be so restful about it if he didn't have a definitive answer about Lord Peverell's powers, don't you think? We talked again and again about Regulus not being a witless boy. He's so different from Sirius in that regard... No, Regulus wouldn't be with Peverell if he didn't know, for sure, that the man could protect him.”
“If you're right, Walburga... You know what that means, don't you? Yes, if there is someone more powerful than the Dark Lord then it means that the balance will shift. If Peverell reveals his true powers then the pureblood families will flock to him in no time. With him being a dark wizard, it only helps him in that sense.”
“The children they could have,” Walburga whispered and Orion almost rolled his eyes but, as he thought about it, he couldn't help but agree with his wife. If a powerful wizard like Peverell were to have children with their son, the two lines becoming one would turn us into a powerhouse. Peverell and Black. Unimaginable.”