Regulus wasn’t sure what was happening. Everything was going so fast he didn’t have a second to process what was going on around him.
The last thing he could recall clearly was the sound of his mother’s head hitting the shelf of a china cabinet after father sent her flying across the dining room.
His parents were arguing about which pureblood lady Regulus should marry and they could not agree. The arguing continued well after Kreacher cleaned the dishes of the table. Regulus having been forced to stay at the table after father forbade him from leaving when he initially tried.
“The Greengrass is a perfectly respectable family!” His father at this point stood from his chair practically red in the face.
“Their family line is cursed! She could well die before bearing a child!” Walburga yelled, already standing.
“Carrow’s daughter isn’t any better! From what I’ve heard she tolerates muggles!” Orion walked around the table and got in Walburga’s face which caused her to raise her chin to look him in the eye refusing to back down.
“You impossible woman! Why can’t you just sit and be silent!” He pulled out his wand and paced angrily mumbling to himself.
“Why can’t you speak up instead of resulting in childish insults!?” At Walburgas words Orion’s head snapped up.
“Why you-” He lifted his wand and silently sent her flying into the china cabinet.
“Mother!” Regulus stepped forward to help her up only for Oiron to point his wand at him too.
“You will leave her there boy.” Orion’s voice was cold before he stormed out the dining room and Regulus waited till the sounds of his steps faded.
He rushed over to his mother who still hadn’t gotten up.
“Mother? Mother please,” Regulus said, trying to prop her up, knowing if she was coherent she would harshly scold him for pleading. Something she believed was below a Black.
She groaned as seemed to shift and her eyes fluttered open. She seemed confused looking around as if she didn’t know where she was.
He hesitantly said, “Mother?” She gasped and looked at him.
“Regulus,” What she did next surprised Regulus, something he never thought his mother was capable of.
She began to cry.
“My darling Regulus. My baby.” She sobbed. Regulus was baffled. He had never seen his mother like this.
“Mother, what's wrong? You’re not acting like yourself.” He feared the hit to her head had scrambled something in her brain.
She looked around frantically, “Your father, where is your father?” She had a crazed look in her. Regulus realized it was fear.
“He went upstairs. Mother, what's going on? You need to go to Saint Mungo’s” He begun to check her head for any injury and saw her head had begun to bleed.
“No no no, go pack a bag. Now Regulus. Go.” She shakily stood and pushed him towards the stairs.
“Mother, what is happening?” Regulus was so lost and a bit scared of his mother’s behavior.
“Sweetheart please, go pack a bag quickly. We have to leave.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the stairs.
“Mother, you hit your head. You’re just confused.” Regulus said, trying to get her to stop.
“I have been many things but I am not confused. Not not, now listen to me.” She pulled him all the way up the stairs to his room.
“Pack. I’ll come back to get you. Hurry before your father realizes we’re leaving.” She said before rushing down the stairs towards her own room pausing briefly to stare at Sirius’ door causing more tears to fill her eyes.
Regulus was so confused but his mother seemed to be adamant so he packed his trunk. He packed some clothes, books, and school supplies not knowing where they were going or for how long.
Mother came back with a handbag that Regulus knew from shopping on Diagon Alley had an extension charm on it. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the library where the floo was.
“Mother, where are we going?” Regulus held firm, forcing his mother to stop pulling him.
“You’re grandfathers manor.” She said, staring at the door in fear. Then they heard footsteps. Causing her face to fill with panic and she nearly began to hyperventilate. Regulus had never seen his mother be so frightened. He walked to the floo now being the one to pull her along as she seemed to freeze in fear.
He spoke clearly, “Black Family Manor,” He pushed mother into the floo first before stepping in pulling his trunk behind him.
When he stepped out he saw Grandmother Melania comforting a panicked Walburga.
“Darling, what's wrong?” Melania wasn’t able to get an answer out of her.
“Regulus what is going on,” Arcturus said crouching down beside Melania who was still trying to console his mother.
“Mother hit her head. I don’t know what happened, she just started acting like this,” Regulus said, staring at his mother feeling at a loss of what to do.
“It was Orion! That horrid man!” Walburga was hysterical.
“Walburga what happened?” Melania tried again to get an explanation.
“He wouldn’t take no for an answer! He asked and wouldn’t listen!” Walburga cried into Melaina’s shoulder.
“Asked what?” Arcturus asked.
“Me to marry him! He wanted the family blood to stay pure! I told him no but he didn’t listen! He made me marry him!” Walburga cried more into Melania’s shoulder as his grandmother and grandfather's faces filled with horror.
“Made you? Walburga what are you saying?” Melania asked fearing the response.
“He forced me! I had no will Aunt Melania!” Walburga buried her face deeper in Melanina’s shoulder.
“He didn’t….” Melaina could not even say it.
“He did! Aunt Melania he made me hurt them! My babies suffered!” Melania rocked Walburga back and forth.
“I don’t understand,” Regulus said, looking between the three of them.
Arcturus gently pulled Regulus aside, his face full of controlled anger.
“Regulus, your father has done something very horrible.” Arcturus said gently.
“Did what?” Regulus asked. “What does it have to do with how Mother is acting?”
Arcturus pulled Regulus into a hug which only confused him more. “He forced her to act under his will, Regulus.”
He pulled away and looked over to Walburga.
“He used Imperius on her.”
Regulus’ eyes widened. “He what?” Regulus could not wrap his head around it.
Arcturus hugged him again as Regulus tried to comprehend. It made sense in a weird way. Father never did punishments. It was always mother even if it was father they angered. He used her like a tool to do his bidding.
He didn’t know his own mother.
He felt himself lean into his grandfather’s embrace.
“Regulus, how about you head up to your room and get some sleep?” Arcturus said, pulling away from Regulus and motioned to the stairs. He looked towards his mother who Melania pulled to the couch and held tight.
“I can’t just leave when she is like this.” Regulus said, still trying to wrap his head around what his father had done.
“We’ll look after her. You’ve done enough.” Arcturus pushed him towards the stairs.
“Woolshed,” Arcturus said before a house elf popped in the air beside him.
“Yes Master?” She looked over to Walburga confused before quickly looking back at Arcturus.
“Help Regulus take his trunk to his room,” He said before walking over to Walburga and Melania who was now healing the wound on Walburga’s head. Woolshed levitated Regulus’ trunk and began to walk up the stairs which Regulus followed albeit hesitantly.
Once he was in the room he had at the Manor he stared up at the ceiling trying to process all that had happened. His mother, someone he had feared yet somehow cared for even after all the punishments, was the same weeping woman who seemed to crumble in his grandmother's arms. Who froze in fear at fathers footsteps the same way he would do when he heard her footsteps. In a way she had been psychologically abused. Force against her will to marry her cousin and bear his children then forced to abuse and hurt those children repeatedly for years to the point of one of them ran away. He couldn’t imagine the pain that would result in.
His thoughts drifted towards his brother, no matter what his parents or that tapestry said Sirius was his brother, but how would Sirius react? Would he care? Would that change anything? Or would he still hate her for what she had done? Did Regulus resent her for what she did? No, in a way he loved his mother, or at least the mother he wished he had, but he didn’t resent Walburga for anything. He simply feared her, but it was hard to fear the woman he watched break down at having been forced to harm her children. Sirius on the other hand despised her. Regulus wasn’t sure if he ever feared her but he knows he hated her with all his heart. Should they even tell Sirius? It may just cause Mother more pain for Sirius to learn what happened and reject her anyways. But it felt wrong not to tell Sirius his mother didn’t hate him. That she never actually wanted to hurt him.
He did not want to fall asleep but exhaustion and coming down from the adrenaline caused him to fall asleep quickly.
The next morning he was woken up by Woolshed telling him breakfast was ready to be served.
“Thank you Woolshed,” He smiled at her which caused her to blush a bit.
“Young Master Regulus is welcomed.” Woolshed apparated out of his room he assumed to the kitchen to bring the food out to the table.
When he got to the dining room he saw Mother sitting at the table.
“Mother?” He asked hesitantly. She turned to look at him, “Regulus,” she seemed just as hesitant as him. Neither of them knew where their relationship stood. After staring at her for nearly a minute Regulus made up his mind.
He walked over and hugged her. He felt her cling back. Both relieved the other cared.
He pulled away after a few minutes and went to wipe his face of a few tears that fell only for his mother to beat him to it. Her gentle touch made him want to cry more. How many times did he imagine this happening? A loving motherly touch from her. He’d lay in bed crying after being punished or yelled at wishing his mother just loved him. It was like a dream come true. Likely a dream came true to his mother too who had lived a nightmare for years till father sent her flying. He wondered how many times Father had recasted the spell over his mothers mind and how many times she had to realize the nightmare and be forced to live it more.
In a way he was relieved Father threw her so she was finally free. He just feared for how long that freedom would last since Father had to be looking for them. He feared what would happen to them when he found them. Would they be forced back into that nightmare? Regulus wasn’t sure if he’d be able to go back to how things were knowing his mother did not hate him and didn’t want to hurt him.
“Good morning Mother,” She smiled at him, “It is a good morning isn’t it. A lovely day to sit in the garden,”
“That's a wonderful idea Walburga,” Melania said as she walked in. “Woolshed?” The elf appeared.
“Yes Mrs. Black?” Woolshed bowed her head in respect.
“I think we’ll have breakfast in the garden today,” She said, smiling at the house elf.
Woolshed nodded, “Yes ma’am,” She levitated to platters to the outside glass table outside he knew Grandmother insisted on having.
“Breakfast outside today?” Arcturus said as he entered the room seeing the food be carried outside.
“It’s a bright day, just right for being outside.” Melania said while walking to the table with Walburga following looking happier than she did the night before which made Regulus smile.
“She’ll be okay,” Regulus turned to his grandfather, “Will she? Father will find her,” Regulus said, turning back to see his mother and grandmother began divide breakfast between their plates.
“I’ll die before I let him hurt my niece anymore,” His tone made Regulus believe him.
They sat at the glass table passing food around and making light conversation and Regulus almost couldn’t believe it. It was like they were starring in a wildest dream. Something he hoped for but never believed could happen. It's like his mother was a completely different person. Which he assumes she is. He’s never met his mother until now. She was in no way the harsh, strict and ruthless woman he called his mother. She was gentle and had a warm heart. Her eyes had a softness to them that made her look younger. This was someone he had hoped his mother would be like after every punishment. It was a dream come true.
Yet he couldn’t bring himself to be fully happy. She was trapped in her own mind for years and under his father’s thumb unable to fully be there for her children. How she was able to not cry right now made him believe his mother was not only gentle but also a strong woman. Someone he was proud of to have as a mother.
He was bitter towards his father. He had only feared him too but now all he felt was anger and hatred. He took this from him. This was the woman who would have raised him if not for his fathers actions. He hurt her. Badly. That was unforgivable.
Once breakfast was over and Woolshed took the dishes away Grandfather’s face turned serious. “We need to discuss what to do when Orion realizes where you are.” The clouds covered the sun darkening the air as if the weather knew the mood of everyone shifted.
“He isn’t coming near Mother,” Regulus said, anger filling his voice. Mother placed a hand on his shoulder saying, “I’m supposed to protect you, not the other way around darling,”
“Still, I’ll hex him if he tries,” Regulus said.
“He’s not coming near you either Regulus, who knows what he may do to either of you,” Melania said, “He’ll hurt both of you if he gets the chance,” Arcturus agreed.
“What if he tries to hurt one of you?” Walgura asked, visibly concerned for her aunt and uncle.
“He’ll be in a hell of trouble if he turns his wand on one of us,” Melania said, her face fierce. Arcturus nodded in agreement, “We raised the boy, we know how strong he is,”
Walburga still looked concerned, “After what he did to me, Regulus, and Sirius family doesn’t matter, he’ll hurt you,” His mother seemed to choke up when she said Sirius’ name, her voice shaky and breaking at his name with her face full of guilt.
Regulus perked up, “Can’t we turn him into the Aurors? He casted an unforgivable curse, they could use mothers memory and veritaserum.” Melania smiled saying, “I knew you were a smart boy,” Walburga smiled at him looking proud of him.
Arcturus stood up, “Walburga come with me, we better get to the ministry then to tell them before he shows up here,” He walked to the floo, “Ministry of Magic,” and tossed the dust in, causing green fire to engulf him and send him away with Mother following after him.
“Do you think she’ll be okay?” Regulus asked, turning to Melania. She nodded, “She’s a strong woman.”
“I hope you are right Grandmother,”
He stared down at the paper in front of him. How was he going to word that their mother was under the Imperius curse by their father for years and her actions were not her own and she actually loving and cared about them. There's no way he’d believe him. If he even reads the letter after seeing it was signed by him. Maybe Grandmother should write it. Or go speak to him in person. Or have him see for himself.
He heard the floo and got up to walk to the sitting room only to find it wasn’t Mother and Grandfather but his father looking furious. He was turned to the doorway having heard his steps.
“Where is Walburga.” It was a question but it wasn’t phrased that way. He raised his chin saying, “She’s not here,”
His face filled with more anger, “I know she is, stop lying and bring her to me,” He spat.
“She isn’t here Orion,” Regulus said, getting angry by the second. Orion glared more at the use of his name.
“I am your father, you will listen to me,” Orion said, looking red in the face.
“You were my father, now you're just a man who hurt my mother,” Regulus said, refusing to back down.
“What lies has she said to you,” He walked towards Regulus but stopped when Melania entered the room. She pointed her wand at Orion, “You get away from him,” She said, glaring at her son.
“You’re my mother yet you point your wand at me?” Orion asked, still looking angry.
“As far as I’m concerned you’re not my son anymore.” He looked angrier at her words.
“You’d disown your own son based on the words of some woman,” He spat out glaring harder at his mother.
“I believe my niece,” Melania said standing her ground. At the worst time the floo went off with Acrturus and Walburga stepping out. When she saw Orion she backed away in fear.
“You...” She stammered looking like a cornered animal.
“You horrid woman, what lies have you planted in their heads!” He yelled walking towards her.
She backed away till her back pressed against the wall, “Stay away from me,” Her voice was shaky and filled with fear.
“You’re coming back with me and I will fix this situation,” He said, stepping closer.
She whimpered and shook her head. Orion looked angrier, “Fine then, be difficult.” He pulled out his wand and pointed it at Regulus, “Lets see if this changes your mind. Crucio!”
“No!” Walburga threw herself in front of his wand and shrieked when the spell hit her.
“Mom!” Regulus rushed forward to his mother who was withering on the floor.
“Expelliarmus!” Orion's wand flew into Arcturus hand, “How dare you! Get out of my home this instant!” Arcturus pushed Orion toward the floo.
Regulus wasn’t sure what came over. Seeing his father hurt his mother one more time after everything he’s done made Regulus snap. He rushed forward and before he knew it his fist collided with Orion’s face. Regulus felt his nose crunch under his fist.
“Regulus!” Melania cried out in shock.
Orion stumbled back and glared at Regulus, his nose now bleeding and shifted in a way it shouldn’t. “You horrid boy!” Orion stepped toward him only for Melania to stand in his way as she pointed at the floo, “Leave. Now.” She said in anger. He glared at her before looking at Walburga who was still twitching on the floor.
“This isn’t over yet,” He said before stepping into the floo and leaving for 12 Grimmauld Place where unknowingly there were Aurors waiting for him.
Regulus turned and crouched down beside his mother and brushed her hair out of her face while Melania ran to get potions to help with her twitching and lingering pain.
“Regulus, while I should be scolding you for punching him I have to admit it was a good punch.” Arcturus said looking a bit proud. Regulus laughed and together they helped Walburga onto the couch as Melania came back carrying potions.
“Here dear, a pain potion and dreamless sleep.” She helped Walburga drink the potions. She helped her lay down and covered her with a blanket.
Regulus walked over and kissed his mother’s cheek, “You didn’t have to do that Mother,” She smiled at him weakly saying, “You’re my baby, I’ll never let you be hurt again, it’s a mothers job,” Hed said, “I don’t want you hurt either Mother,”
She patted his cheek saying, “I like mom better,” Regulus let out a watery laugh, “Alright mom,” He said smiling finally after years of dreaming he had the mother he always wanted.
A week later his mother was fully better after Regulus helped her through the after effects of the Cruciatus Curse, both of them knowing he was so skilled in the matter by having practice but neither wanted to say it.
They apparated back to the Black Family Manor having just come from Orion’s trial where he was found guilty for using an unforgivable curse and forcing Walburga to use them against their children. Walburga’s memories and Veritaserum forced him to answer the questions honestly.
Grandmother sent a letter to Sirius telling about the trial. He never showed which they expected and Walburga was a bit relieved since she was afraid of seeing him. She didn’t think he’d want to see her.
The next day news of the trial was in the Daily Prophet. Orion was sentenced to Azkaban for the crime of an unforgivable curse and child abuse. It was all anyone spoke about. They all stayed in the manor not wanting the stares they’d get if they went out. What surprised them most was when someone stepped through the floo channel.
It was Sirius.
The air was tense as they looked at each other.
“I saw the Daily Prophet.” Sirius said in a flat tone.
Walburga stiffened at the words, “And?” She said feeling as though was about to get a dementor's kiss.
Sirius cleared his throat a bit, “I don’t forgive you,” He said, raising his chin a bit to look down his nose. “It may not have been your will but you still hurt me and I can’t forgive that.” Walburga’s eyes filled with tears but she nodded.
“You were cruel and awful and I can’t just go around pretending you weren’t.”
Pretending? Regulus felt anger at his words.
“I still hate you,” Walburga looked down at her lap and Regulus saw tears drop on the back of her hands that she had in her lap tightened to the point her knuckles were white.
Regulus stood up, “Why are you here? Just to make her feel worse than she already does? Mom didn’t do anything wrong. It was all Orion’s doing. She didn’t want to hurt us.” Regulus said angrily.
“She still hurt us,” Sirius said feeling defensive. “No Orion hurt us, not her. Maybe if you actually came when Grandmother sent you a letter you would be able to see mom is caring and loving. Not some monster you have in your head,” Regulus said feeling just as defensive.
“There you go again being mommy’s special boy. You’re gonna wake up one day and realize she’s nothing but a monster, regardless of it her puppet strings were cut.” Regulus felt rage.
How dare he come here and talk like he knew anything. How dare he rub salt into her wounds. She felt bad enough having to look at him everyday knowing what she was forced to do to him. Knowing Sirius’ absence was her doing even if it was Orion’s will.
Regulus walked up to Sirius and stared him in the eye.
“You’re a bad son,” He said, feeling nothing but anger.
“Excuse me,” Sirius said in shock.
“You’re a bad son,” Regulus repeated, “Mom isn’t some monster. If you were actually here you’d realize she’s a good mom. She’s loving and she cares. She comforted me when I cried, she calls me darling and sweetheart. When the Imperius curse was lifted her first thought was to get me away from Orion. You’re judging her on Orion’s actions and not on her own. If all you're going to do is make her feel horrible for the abuse she did when she was trapped in her own mind then leave. Go back to the Potter’s and live your life away from us.”
Sirius said, “You’re the one trapped under her thumb now,” Regulus glared and reeled back and fist and decked Sirius in the face. He stumbled back and raised a hand to his cheek that was now red from Regulus’ punch.
“Regulus!” Walburga said in a light scolding tone sounding nothing like the harsh biting tone she’d use before she punished them. There was a watery sound to her voice that made him angrier
“Leave.” Regulus said angrily his tone leaving no room for arguing,”You made your view clear, now leave before I punch you again.”
Sirius glared saying, “You’ll realize I’m right one down and I won’t be there for you when you do,” Regulus glared back saying, “You’re the cruel one, you didn’t have to come here yet you did,” Sirius stepped back into the floo, “Potter Manor,” He disappeared in a green flame.
Walburga walked to Regulus and pinched his cheek, “You better not making punching people a habit,” Regulus grinned, “It gets my point across quite well mom,”
Walburga rolled her eyes, “Use your words instead,” Regulus opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Kreacher.
“Lunch is ready,” Kreacher said while Woolshed put the dishes on the table.
“We’ll discuss you punching people more later, now let's eat.” Walburga wiped her tears and wrapped an arm around Regulus' shoulders and led him to the table outside table.
He felt a grin form on his face. His mom was one of the best.