Narcissa Black
Regulus received his parents' first letter in the first week of October. The morning had begun well, Pandora ate with them, and Dorcas and Evan were talking about Quidditch. From the corner of his eye he saw Narcissa standing next to him and served her, as usual, slices of toast and butter and jam. Each time, his cousin used to eat the same food, whether it was for breakfast, lunch or dinner. He wondered whether she really took what she liked or what others expected her to take.
Narcissa noticed his gaze on her and smiled at him. That morning, her friends did not accompany her, and Regulus, despite the presence of his own friends, knew that it would only be between her and him.
In recent weeks, the presence of his cousin was no longer as strange to him as before. At the receptions, he sometimes avoided her, simply greeted her and avoided his uncle's family all the time for dinner. Most of the time he was not remarked, no doubt because no one noticed when he was there, so no one suspected when he was not.
Regulus nevertheless remembered a family dinner, he remembered it well since it had been the last one in which Andromeda had been present. Sirius was ten years old and he was eight, they were both young, and even though they had been accustomed to the long receptions, he was beginning to make himself late, and the two boys had tried to climb their rooms without being caught. Regulus no longer remembered who had had the idea of doing so, no doubt it was Sirius now that he was thinking about it.
Their mother had not let them advance further than the fourth steps, and Sirius had kept the red mark of their mother's ring all evening on his cheek. Regulus had begun to sob when she had returned to the living room because of fear of having to suffer the punishments of his mother again.
A week later, she drowned him.
Sirius had therefore returned to the reception and Regulus had moved away to the porch. Someone had left the sliding door open and a fresh wind came to caress his cheeks. He landed on the wicker bench where his mother used the most sat down. He remembered a time when she let him lie down next to her and put his head on her lap. Sometimes she even passed her hand through his black curls and sang.
Then he grew up, and he had to understand.
And education was about correction.
Sometimes he still dreamed of his mother's hand in his hair and her soft voice, which hummed an air which he had since forgotten.
The door next to him had squeaked and Regulus had jumped. He expected to see his mother, or even his father, but it was his youngest cousin who passed the door. Her presence had always impressed him, but she seemed to leave her mask aside. Regulus didn't yet understand these things at the time, for him Narcissa just smiled at him. Now he understood what it must have cost her to leave her role to come and see him and comfort him as well.
She sat next to him after asking for permission, and she had stayed there, without speaking. He did not speak more, and as she looked up to the sky, he did the same. The sky was clear and they could see the stars despite the trees of the little backyard and the tight buildings between them that surrounded their mansion.
Narcissa did not show her his star, but she did not explain to him that they were all there. He would learn it three years later. For the time being, they were just two cousins who were keeping company in the veranda of their family home, where, a few meters further, everyone was talking in an atmosphere of decorum and coldness that made him uncomfortable. At that time Narcissa was fourteen years old, and Regulus remembered that she was just as beautiful as she was now.
- I've been told you're doing pretty well in flight, you like it?
It had been two weeks since Regulus took flight lessons. He was not yet comfortable, but he had already earned points from his house, thanks to the Dorcas lessons at the library. The one who was akin to a friend taught him lessons in relation to Quidditch and its history, and he learned much more with her than in all the books he had leafed through.
- I'm getting in.
- Modest? It's not very Black.
Regulus had become accustomed to the tabs that Narcissa was taking at their family. He did not jump or freeze as if their parents were going to return to the Great Hall and punish them.
- Also, Sirius managed to get back to Quidditch's team, didn't he? And this Potter boy too, right?
Regulus nodded. Everyone had heard the speech that Sirius and James had made two days ago during dinner. Red and gold firecrackers had broken up all over the Great Hall, and without surprise the two boys had passed several hours of glue for failing to settle the school.
If Regulus was worried about Sirius, he could not help smiling when he saw his brother's gaze turn in his direction and smile to become even more brighter. He was proud of his older brother, and Sirius was happy that his little brother was for him. Sirius had then done something that Regulus had not expected.
Before McGonagall caught them, he and James had run to the Slytherin table and shuffled his brother in his arms shouting that he was going to smashing the Slytherin even if his younger brother was part of their house. "No pity, even for my beloved little brother," he whispered in his ear afterwards, then McGonagall grabbed his shoulder and dragged the two boys out of the room.
Regulus had surprised himself to laugh.
- Yes.
- Your parents aren't going to like it.
Regulus did not know how she had known for her father's forbid to practice Quidditch for his brother, but it was no point in denying it.
- Undoubtedly.
And there, the owls had come in.
Regulus had seen a nice start his descent in his direction. When she laid a letter in front of him, a few inches from his plate, he had not believed his eyes. For a month he had not received any news from his parents and wondered what had prompted them to send him something.
They had a request. Regulus took the letter in his hands and stared at the seal of the Black family sealed on it. Precautionarily, he destroyed it and took out the letter addressed to him. Around him his friends had stopped talking. Narcissa watched him do, just like Evan and Pandora. Dorcas too, but she did not know of the apprehension that was born in him. She did not know that news of his parents was not something he enjoy for.
Regulus,
Your father and I learned that you had successfully been distributed to Slytherin. We're glad to know that you're not follow your brother's footsteps. However, you must not forget that your duty, as the last born of the family, is to do honour with the name you are wearing.
You have certainly done the minimum by respecting the ancestral custom of our family, but do not lose in mind that you will have to continue to make efforts to make your family proud. Don't let yourself go Regulus, it could have consequences if we ever learn that you're not successfully doing what we're asking you to do. Things that are only the minimum required are reminiscent of it.
Moreover, we have learned that your brother is already beginning to repeat the same outrages to his family as those of last year. That's why we send you this letter, your uncle will send a similar one to your cousin, Narcissa. You will be asked to watch Sirius. This school doesn't keep us up to date with all the offenses your brother and his acquaintances comment on. You'll have to tell us Regulus.
It's one of your duties to your family.
Don't forget it.
We'll know if you ever lie to us.
Walburga Black
Regulus read several times his mother's letter before he became fully aware of what she was asking him to do. At his side Narcissa noticed his cousin's stunned expression, and cautiously took it from his hands. He didn’t react and she read it. Regulus didn't really look at her, didn't really see her, but he could guess her expression decomposes as she reads.
Then an owl laid a letter in front of her.
Narcissa returned his letter to Regulus, opened her own, went through it, and burned it. All the people next to them turned to her, surprised. Ever since he arrived here, Regulus had understood one thing about his cousin: she was not being noticed. Everyone knew when she entered a room, but she was not making a wave. Not a word of a crooked word or higher than any other.
And she had just burned a letter from her father, even though he was the only one to know, in front of a whole table of Slytherin. Narcissa turned to him and a slight smile appeared on her lips, the same as that evening in the porch. The kind that wanted to reassure him.
- You don't have to do it Regulus.
- What?
- What your parents ask you to do, you don't always have to do. Will you follow me Regulus?
He nodded and his cousin get up. Regulus quickly arranged the books he had left on the table to revise before the start of the classes and followed her. As they passed the Ravenclaw's table, he heard screams towards the Gryffondors table. He recognized his brother's voice, and even before he reflected in it, his gaze turned to him.
Sirius had just pushed a bench and held a letter in his hands. Even by far Regulus could know of who it was. His brother seemed furious and his friends were talking around him hoping that it would manage to calm him down. In vain. Sirius passed over the bench and walked straight towards the door of the Great Hall, right next to where Regulus and Narcissa are. For a moment he thought of arresting him and asking him what put him in such a humor, but he changed his mind to the last second. At those moments, when he was that angry, Sirius reminded him too much of their mother to dare not take the risk of irritating him further.
Not that Sirius had one day physically attacked him. No, Sirius' specialty was words. They were wounding like harpoons and hung on the flesh of their victim. Long. Moreover, Regulus did not want to create a scene in front of the eyes of all the students of Hogwarts, who watched him pass the doors. Immediately afterwards, many whispers rose from the Grande Salle.
Narcissa began to move forward and Regulus followed her. When she passed the doors, a young woman, who seemed to be the same age as her cousin, crossed them. Narcissa froze and Regulus almost hit her. She stared at the other girl without taking out of her eyes, and when she wanted to open her mouth, no sound came out.
- Black.
- Alice...
The young woman stood at, barely, one meter from Narcissa. They were about the same size, and her cousin's blond hair contrasted with the almost black ones of the other witch. Regulus had never heard of an Alice speak of whoever this self in his family. For several seconds no one spoke, and all he saw was the pain and sadness in Narcissa's eyes, which stared at Alice's filled with unconcealed coldness. Regulus did not know what had happened between the two, but he hoped never to have to experience the same thing.
- Your engagement is planned for when?
- December.
Alice had the first reaction that Regulus saw her make. Her cold mask fell to give way to horrified eyes. Imperceptibly she advanced towards Narcissa. It was barely a few millimetres, but it was enough for her cousin to retreat.
- December?
- Exact. The wedding is scheduled for the end of July.
- Narcis-
- No. I have to go. Regulus follow me.
Narcissa had suppressed the emotions she had allowed to escape a few minutes before and stood even more distance from Alice. The roles seemed to have been reversed and Regulus was watching the scene, confused. When Narcissa called him, the other witch turned to him, as if she had just realized his presence.
- Is that your cousin?
- Regulus, come on.
And Regulus used to follow the orders that were given to him. He followed Narcissa.
He followed her through the corridors, making sure to stay at a certain distance from her, behind her. He did not know where she intended to take him, but he did not have the courage to raise his voice. Around her an atmosphere which he knew was escaping all too well. It was the first time since his arrival at Hogwarts that he was suspicious of her. And even though he knew that it was not he who was the object of his anger, he preferred to stay away.
It had never stopped his mother. Even when he had done nothing.
At last they stopped at the bend of a corridor. Some students were still passing and threw curious eyes on them, but there was no one to hear their conversation. Narcissa turned to him, and marked the tension that inhabited his body, she forced herself to smile at Regulus. The boy was also tense, but for another reason. He hated seeing his family members angry. Even after years of experience he still did not know when and why it sometimes fell on him.
Not with Narcissa, he tried to reassure himself.
- Your parents should not have sent you this letter.
- Why?
Narcissa looked at him, confused.
- Well... have you understood what they ask you, Regulus?
- I guess yes, actu-
- They ask you to spy on Sirius on their behalf. Did you understand Regulus?
- I-
Regulus's breath was getting short.
- They ask you to list Sirius's actions and gestures as soon as you become aware of them. They want to watch Sirius through you, Regulus.
- No this-
- Regulus. Listen to me carefully. What I'm going to tell you, you'll have to remember.
Regulus nodded.
- They want to pit you against each other.
- What. No, they can't. It's no use to them anyway and--
Narcissa grabbed his shoulders and stooped to his height. Her face was serious but not threatening. Regulus could feel unresterful in the wrist she had on his shoulders, but he knew he was not addressed to him, so he tried to relax. In vain.
- You must believe me, Regulus. That is what they are doing. My father did it with my sisters. Your parents are doing it with you.
- But--
- Regulus... please...
And Regulus wanted to tell her that he knew. He wanted to tell him that he understood his parents' intentions, although they don't understand the "why?" " But that would be tantamount to saying that he knew it would work. That would be like saying that he and his brother weren't strong enough to overcome that. And Regulus wanted to fight for his brother, he wanted to keep that semblance of a relationship they had.
He wanted to continue to sigh his brother's jokes. He wanted to keep slipping into his bed when the silence of the house was too heavy for his huge bed. He wanted to keep laughing with him in the back of their parents. He wanted to keep hearing him talk about Hogwarts, Peter, Remus, and, by Merlin’ beard, James too, if that meant hearing the sound of his voice next to him. He so wanted his brother to continue to love him anyway. And he wanted to continue to love him.
- I'll do it for you, as my father asked me.
- What?
- I'll watch Sirius. You don't send anything, I would say you're participating and I'm passing on all the information to them. Are you moving away from all this, okay? I don't want you to do that.
- But--
- Your brother is going... By Merlin your brother is going to be punished Regulus you understand?
He knew it. He had always known that each of their actions would have consequences. He had learned it the hard way. Then he did not understand why he heard him from his cousin's mouth clashed at this point. The air seemed to leave his lungs for a time and his heart stopped for a few beats.
Sirius was going to be punished. Whatever he does.
- I know you understand what I mean by that. And I refuse to blame you for that, okay? Regulus look at me.
Narcissa's tone was up and she received all the attention of Regulus. He hated feeling his muscles tender at the slightest flash of voice.
- I wouldn't let you do that, okay?
- She'll know.
- Who?
- Mom... She'll know I didn't give any information. And she'll punish me.
Narcissa's gaze became softer as they humidified themselves. The Blacks never cried.
- She won't know anything about it, trust me, she won't know.
He nodded by automaticity.
- In the meantime, don't talk to Sirius about that, he shouldn't know. He would do some things on purpose and... just don't tell him anything. Keep it to yourself and everything will be fine. Okay?
He nodded by automaticity.
- Classes are going to start, you should go, you have Potions.
He nodded by automaticism.
- I'm sorry for you Regulus.
He nodded by automatism mode and she turned her back to his classroom. Regulus remained frozen for a few seconds before moving in the opposite direction and descending towards the dungeons. He was now able to locate himself, more or less correctly, in the castle, and he arrived early at the course.
Evan and Pandora were not there yet and he settled at their usual table. Slughorn was already present, and Regulus hoped that the old teacher would not have the idea of coming to speak to him. Since his first class, his Maison chef kept asking him at each of his lectures. He had hoped that this would be calm when they had begun to make potions, but Regulus had been quite good at this matter, and he had looked, with malaise, his teacher, to praise him for the perfect manufacture of his potion of amnesia. Evan hadn't stopped laughing since.
Fortunately for him, the other students arrived and the class began before Slughorn was able to question him. Potion classes were those where Regulus was the least noticed. He remained silent and raised his hand only when other people did. In such cases, Slughorn was obliged to question others at the time. And even with this discretion, Regulus always ended up in front of the stage.
-Mr Black, it is very impressive that you already know how to prepare this potion, we are only going to see it at the end of the year.
Regulus answered a smile clenched to his teacher's. The only positive point he could find was that now his comrades were no longer looking towards him as soon as his name was pronounced. Unwillingly he had distanced himself from them, Evan and Pandora was enough for him. He also knew that some were whispering towards him, but he could not have known what. So he let things do it. It was better like that.
- Mr. Black, very good answer, five points for Slytherin.
Behind them were Gryffondors whispered.
- As usual.
- Might as well giving them the Four Houses Cup directly, with all the points he gives him.
- Is it his hidden son or what?
- Shut up.
Regulus turned to the boy on his left and recognized Rabastan. He had not noticed him before. They didn't really talk to each other and they just shared the same dormitory. Since the evening of their arrival at Hogwarts, they had sometimes been placed in a pair or as a result of events led them to discuss together, but they were not close to the point where one was defending the other.
Rabastan turned to their teacher without looking at him. Finally Regulus turned to Evan and Pandora, who seemed as surprised as him by the gesture of the Slytherin.
Behind them, all the whispers ceased.
"-"
Regulus returned from the library after spending an hour there with Dorcas and headed to the Great Hall where Pandora and Evan were waiting for him. He put books in his bag when he fell, at the bend of a corridor, on one of Sirius's friends. He remembered meeting him on the train but no longer remembered whether his name was Remus or Peter.
He was alone, which was unusual, and seemed to be looking for someone. When he noticed him, he advanced towards him, and Regulus noticed the scars on his face. It must have been Remus. Remus stopped before him, and he realized how tall he was. Sitting in the Hogwarts Express compartment he had not noticed his size, and although they had only a year of difference, Regulus felt ridiculously small next to him.
- You would have seen Sirius?
Regulus did not record about his lack of politeness.
- No. Why?
- I can't find him.
Regulus frowned, since he returned to the beginning of the year had never seen his brother without his friends.
- What do you mean by that?
- This morning he received a letter from his parents and since then he has disappeared.
His legs almost abandoned him. Regulus remembered seeing him with a letter in his hands, he remembered his hasty departure. He remembered knowing that she came from her parents. He remembered forgetting this information. His blood froliate and he swallowed with difficulty.
- He... disappeared?
Remus shook his head.
- He did not come to any classes and did not eat this afternoon. When he left, he talked about Quidditch, but I'm not sure.
- Oh no...
- What? You know something?
Their parents knew. They knew that Sirius had disobeyed. Regulus couldn't imagine what they might have done, and finally everything made sense. The letters for Narcissa and made sense to him. And Regulus imagined the worst from Sirius. His brother was able to do something that would annoy their parents even more. He could put himself in danger without knowing it. For Narcissa would repeat it. Narcissa was obliged to tell his father.
- We must found him.
- We? You too?
Regulus ignored his questions.
- Where is he usually?
- To the court, but we've already looked up and... is that serious? You have to tell me if it is. Regu-
- My parents. He must not do something that might upset them. You don't know our parents, Remus. It is more serious than just not finding him. It must be found before his nonsense.
- What?
- My parents.
And he started running.
Remus did not hold him back and Regulus thanked him. For they had no time to lose. Without thinking he went to the inner court, hoping that his brother would have had the idea of changing places to hide. He already excluded cramped places from his mind, knowing that his brother would not be there.
His book-filled bag struck his hip jerkyly, but he ignored it. All his attention converged on one person, one thing. He had to find Sirius. It doesn’t matter if they didn’t talk to each other so often. It does not matter if he had to look for him all over the castle. It doesn't matter if he even had to team up with Potter if that meant finding him faster.
Some students turned to him when he ran next to them, which he understood. Even for him it was strange to let go to show his worries as well. He preferred not to think about the idea that his parents could learn it. But he preferred that Sirius should not be caught doing something he would regret later. Regulus had enough of the violence. This summer he had not had the courage to stop her, but now he had the opportunity, and he intended to seize her well.
He kept running.
He would never stop running for his brother.
And he fell upon him, turning in hastily.
Literally.
His hip struck the ground in marble and he grimaced. He was preparing to get up and running again despite everything when his brother's voice was heard.
- Fuck Reg, I just smashed my back. What are you doing to run in Hogwarts? You haven't run since 1969 I remind you.
In other circumstances, Regulus reportedly responded dryly to his brother for his last sentence. Instead, he insulted him.
- Are you fucking kidding me ? No, but serious. Escape like that. A whole day. Just after receiving a letter from the parents, what’s wrong with you, you irresponsible.
- What?
- I met Remus figured back. Seriously? Disappear a whole day? What if you had done something and I hadn't known it, huh? Did you think about that? COULD YOU THINK ONE TIME IN YOUR LIFE SIRIUS
- Stop screaming.
- I would stop screaming when you stop behaving like a big selfish idiot, Sirius.
- I don't see why you're worried like that.
Regulus felt his hands tremble, but not because of fear this time.
- You... don't you see? Don't you see why I'm worried? You-Sirius Orion Black III I swear to you on Merlin that I'm going-
- Okay, okay, calm, breathe Reg.
- Don't call me "Reg."
- Okay Reggie.
- Sirius.
And his older brother had the audacity to laugh.
- I'll kill you.
And he continued to laugh.
Regulus looked at him for several seconds, with his face closed. Sirius rose and held out his hand to help his brother rise up, and his laughter rejoined when he noticed his face. At last, he had to wait for his brother to calm down when he still did not allow any emotion to be translated. At least Sirius came to laugh, which meant that the situation was less serious than he imagined, or that he had already had time to commit something that would upset their parents.
- Is it over with you?
Sirius shook his head despite the smile still present on his face.
- Can I know what was so fun?
- By Godric Reg, how do you want me to take you seriously, frankly?
- The situation is not funny, Sirius.
- Reggie, you've never yelled at me since I stole your cereal bar when we were four and six years old.' Of course I'm laughing. It's so unlikely.
Regulus did not reply, but the trembling of his lips sold him.
- Can I know now what you're doing to run in the hallways?
- Remus docked me and asked me if I knew where you were. You disappeared all day, and you got a letter from Mom and Dad.
At the evocation of their parents, Sirius's face became darker. He came out of his pocket a wrinkled letter.
- They learned for my recruitment to the Quidditch team, and they didn't like it.
- I'm sure they are not. They had forbidden you, Sirius.
Sirius raised his eyes, his gaze was hard, and Regulus knew he was angry with him. He would no doubt start shouting at him, as every time the subject of their parents came on the carpet. But what Sirius did not understand was that Regulus needed him to stop attracting their attention. If he had been able to do so, he would have told her everything he had received himself, but he knew that Narcissa was right, that would make things even more complicated.
- That's not a reason. I have the right to play Quidditch if I feel like it.
- That's not what I said Sirius, you know it.
- Why are you defending them?
- I'm not defending them.
Sirius had approached him during their exchange and was a few inches away from him from now on.
- If Like every time. "Sirius doesn't do this. "Sirius doesn't do that. "Mom is going to get mad." Why don't you take my side.
- Sirius...
- Every time you repeat the same thing, that we are going to be punished, that it is dangerous. At least tell me you realize it's not normal? That we're not supposed to be afraid of that? Tell me you know.
- It doesn't change anything, whether we're supposed to be afraid or not. The fact is that it's going to happen, and if you'd like me to take your part, I'd like you to take mine. I wish you would understand that I am worried about you, despite the fact that you avoid me like a Dementor.
- I don't avoid you.
Sirius folded his arms and walked away from Regulus a few steps.
- You... were you worried about me?
Regulus exuded loudly, annoyed.
- Yes, Sirius, I'm worried about you. For I know that you are able to do stupid things just for the satisfaction of knowing them frustrated, which, when we go home, will not help your situation.
Sirius's features relaxed as the anger he felt disappeared to give way to sadness.
- They wrote a letter to Dumbledore forbidding me to play. I am excluded from the team. Definitely.
After that, Sirius handed him the letter, and Regulus caught him and then went through it several times. His parents' words were harsh and cold. Slices. He looked up his brother, who had leaned over the wall, and stared at the ground, frustrated. He approached him and returned the letter to him, at last he at last sat down on the wall and turned to his brother.
- I'm sorry for the Quidditch, I know it mattered to you.
- I'm sorry to have worried you.
- Sorry for insulting you.
Sirius gave him a smile at his elbow.
- And to have straighten me?
Regulus smiled at his brother.
- No, you deserved it.
- You dick.
They remained silent for several minutes. They were used to it when they were together, at the mansion, and that gave Regulus the impression that things were the same as before. That between his brother and him, they were simple.
- You really ran in entire--
- Sirius. You've been looked for everywhere.
The two brothers turned to the three boys who had just arrived. James threw himself into Sirius's arms, without any modesty, shouting that he had been afraid of his life. That he had imagined his life without him and that it was awful, and other things that Regulus preferred ignored. The young boy moved away from the group, his brother was no longer interested in him, and his friends were waiting for him in the Great Hall. His role was over. He was about to leave when someone called him. He turned around, hoping that it was his brother who showed him a last moment of interest, but instead he saw James approaching him.
- So these flight classes?
Regulus tells the urge to leave by planting the young boy there.
-Developers Potter.
- When do you want us to start? I know you wanted to wait until Sirius is flying, but well, You will have to trust me. And stop calling me Potter.
Regulus sighed, he put the subject back on the carpet, and the young sorcerer's wink nearly made him grinned.
- I told you not to let him make the Quidditch selections.
- What?
- That's where it led him.
- I don't understand where you're going.
- I don't know why you didn't listen to me. You probably wanted to share this experience with your best friend, I don't care. What I do know, however, is that he must have told you about the ban on our parents, but you thought you were smart enough to go under their surveillance and allow my brother to participate in the matches.
Once again he pressed the "my."
- I see no harm in giving him hope.
Regulus let out a hollow laughter from her mouth.
- Hope? All your hope has brought to her is the sadness and pain of holding his dream in his hands and seeing him escape. All because you didn't want to listen to me. Listen to me, Potter, never underestimate Walburga and Orion Black. Even hundreds of miles away they will make Sirius' life a hell.
Regulus turned around, having finally said everything he had kept in him in recent weeks.
- And not yours?
Regulus stopped, but did not turn round. He did not even check that James heard his answer before he left.
- Me? I am not the heir. I am nothing worth supervising.