Sacrifices
Regulus
Everything was ready. A bag with a bottle of water and a few marmalade biscuits in case he needed more energy to face the journey, his wand, a warm coat to protect himself from the coast’s cold wind, and… James’ letter, folded in his pocket.
Regulus took a glance around the empty living room.
He’d been sharing that old house with his friends for almost a year now, though he couldn’t say it held his happiest memories. He didn’t really care about leaving it.
As for Evan and Barty… he’d miss them. He knew he would. And he knew they wouldn’t instantly forgive him for what he was about to do. But they would understand with time, he was confident with that. Regulus adjusted the bag’s leather strap on his shoulder.
“Let’s go, master Black. We need to get to the Cave before dusk” Kreacher hurried him from the door.
For a moment, he hesitated. He thought about how much he really wanted to embark on that mission. It wouldn’t end up well for him, but that was exactly what he’d been looking for, wasn’t it?: a way of dying heroically, to find peace in his loved ones memories and finally get rid of the burden heaving upon his heart. His ticket towards freedom. He knew he had to do that if he wanted to save them all: Barty, Evan, Narcissa, Lucius, Sirius, Pandora, Remus, Peter, Lily, Dorcas… James. Their fate depended on the success of his quest.
So, Regulus swallowed the lump in his throat and fished for the note he’d written in the pocket of his coat. He slowly walked up to the kitchen counter and left it there, so that Evan and Barty would spot it when they came back.
When you come back, you won’t find me waiting for you.
Don’t worry about me.
I’ll fix everything, I promise, and you’ll finally be able to be happy again, to live your lives to the fullest without Voldemort’s threat hovering above you… and without me.
I’m sorry things had to go this way, but I had no other options.
Thanks for having always been there for me, even when I didn’t deserve it. You’re more than my best friends to me: you’re my brothers.
I’ll never forget you, guys.
Please, remember me too.
I’ll continue to live in the tales of the people that matter the most to me.
Tell Sirius and Pandora I love them.
And tell James I’ve never stopped being his. He’ll understand.
It’s time to go now.
I wish you the best the world can offer to you.
Yours,
R.A.B.
With his heart in his throat, he threw one last glance at the note before giving his back to the room. “I’m ready, Kreacher” he affirmed, voice flat.
“Are you sure about this, master Black?” the elf asked, noticing the halo of doubt on his face.
Regulus nodded, hiding his shaky hands in his pockets. “It ought to be done. And I’ll make sure not to fail”.
“Your courage is really admirable, master Black” Kreacher said. “I’m honoured to accompany you on this journey. When we come back, we’ll have a great story to tell”.
“Yeah… absolutely…”.
‘I’m not coming back, Kreacher. The Inferi await me’.
Regulus walked past the old green door for one last time. Stopping on the porch, a last hint of doubt flickered inside him before wilting as Kreacher locked the door.
It was done. There was no turning back now.
He glanced up at the sun, still high in the sky. But not for long. They needed to hurry up if they didn’t want the night to surprise them and slow down their journey.
“Goodbye” Regulus whispered under his breath as he left the house behind. His words got lost in the wind.
⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅
He could already see it in the distance, beyond the hills they were crossing: the Cave, its entrance like a dark ink stain standing out in the colours of that landscape: the dark blue of the roaring waves crashing over the shore, the dark green pine trees lined up along the dirt road, the grey sharp rocks that later gave room to fine white sand.
A cool breeze blew through the tree branches, ruffling his hair as its whistle came to his ears. He stopped, staring at that precise point of the cliff.
“We’re almost there” Kreacher said.
Regulus was finally meeting his destiny. And that thought felt good and… frightening at the same time. He pushed his hesitation aside once again, opening his leather bag to pull out the water bottle. He took a few sips, then turned to Kreacher: “Would you like some?”.
“You’re really kind, master Black, but you better keep it for later. You’re going to need it”.
He knew what the potion in the basin where the locket was hidden caused, though he didn’t care about those effects. He already had everything planned. Kreacher would help him destroy the Horcrux and save his family, while he would finally find the peace he’d been longing for. That was just his last heroic act before disappearing backstage.
The soles of Regulus’ boots tapped on the wide path, small rocks cracked under his heels. He got closer to the end with each step. He couldn’t hide that he’d considered the idea of stopping, turning back and giving up his mission, but he knew he couldn’t do that. That was his only chance to redeem himself.
So, he kept a steady pace as they proceeded down the road, the contouring of the Cave getting more and more delineated.
Regulus stuffed his hand in the right pocket of his coat, feeling the smooth texture of paper brushing against his fingertips. James’ letter. He wondered whether he’d already received the answer he’d sent him days before. He wondered what he would say, what he would think.
He’d understand, just like Evan and Barty, Regulus was sure of it.
He’d always wanted to be the hero of the situation, always ready to rescue others, to take care of all of their problems.
He was just like Patroclus, wearing Achilles’ armour to fight in his place: he knew it could be deadly, and yet he didn’t care, not when it meant saving who he loved the most.
He’d made the right choice.
They’d all be happier in the end, they’d live a better life. Without him.