Chapter 5 (Pt. 2)
White.
His eyes moved beneath his lids, grimacing as he cracked them open letting the bright sunlight in.
He pushed himself upwards noticing the lightness of it- he didn't seem pregnant or feel it- which brought him discomfort.
Although last time he'd been here he wasn't pregnant, so there were a lot of things that'd changed and lines Regulus wasn't sure how to cross.
The field of poppies, yellow and swaying in the breeze that Regulus didn't feel.
It was always spring here, the grass a permanent deep green- each and every blade of grass cut to equal height, unchanging.
Regulus wondered if this would also be his heaven- which would make differentiating between unconscious and dead nearly impossible.
He noted he was alone, wondering if he were dead- how long it'd be before he saw the people he loved.
And on that note, if heaven worked like his consciousness, then a century could pass and it would feel like ten minutes.
Regulus tried to shake the thought of death from his mind, he didn't want to think about all the things he'd miss.
Instead he opted for the more logically answer- he'd probably been in some type of coma.
For how long? Regulus wasn't sure how to tell.
There was a string of soft laughter.
A child's laughter that snapped Regulus from his thoughts.
A child, no older than four, chased a white butterfly. His legs were small and stubby and every step was more of a wobble.
Shouts of excitement and laughter escaped the child's mouth as he chased the insect, heading Regulus' way.
The child stopped meeting Regulus' gaze as his face settled.
"Hello there, little one." Regulus greeted softly.
As if something clicked, the child raced towards Regulus, a huge smile plastered on his face.
Regulus had the wind knocked from him as the child charged into his chest.
Regulus slid his hand into the child's unruly dark hair and the other pulled the boy closer- his boy.
He'd seen Harry much, much older, but could still recognize the boy who looked like James' twin and the piercing gray eyes that mirrored his own- even as a small child.
Harry koala hugged him and Regulus placed his chin on top the boys head.
Closing his eyes, he felt warm tears stream down his face.
"I'm going to fix it, I promise." Regulus muttered softly, more to reassure himself than the boy.
Regulus placed a soft kiss to the boys head.
He had to wake up.
He wasn't sure exactly how much danger he was in.
So Regulus clung to Harry tighter before it was dark again.
He sprang awake with a sheer cry- pain like something he'd never experienced, scourged his body.
Tears streamed down his face as he panted to catch the breath that seemed to be running away from him.
The pressure was excruciating.
He placed his hands to the ground, only to land right in a puddle of liquid that surrounded him.
"Shit. Shit. Shit." Regulus cried scrambling until his back hit a cool wall.
In panic Regulus scanned the room, his blood running cold at just where he was.
He'd been thrown in this basement many times before. The stone floors still stained with his blood.
It smelled of mildew and dust and was mildly dark.
Regulus cried out in pain as another sharp pain erupted, shaking him to his core.
There was a soft pop and Regulus peeled his eyes open.
"Kreacher." Regulus huffed, his voice coarse.
"Master Regulus is awake." Kreacher gathered, before scanning the boy.
"The baby's coming", Regulus gasped out, withering in pain, "You're- you're going to have to deliver it."
Kreacher's eyes widened, "Master Regulus, Kreacher is not trained to be a midwife."
Regulus huffed as the pain subsided momentarily and was replaced with mild discomfort, "Well I'm not trained to give birth, so I guess we'll both have to figure it out as we go."
Regulus peeled his soaked pants from his body, grinding his teeth at the action.
Kreacher still looked terrified for his life.
"He's coming right now. Whether we like it or not." Regulus spat.
It wasn't a command- Regulus never commanded Kreacher to do anything- but Kreacher would do anything for the young master.
After what felt like an entirety, Regulus closed his eyes and let the wave of exhaustion reach every inch of him.
Harry's cries shrieked through the air, his tiny body covered in amniotic fluids.
Kreacher cleaned the scene and the small child as he held the screaming baby.
Regulus swallow mid groan before Kreacher held Harry out to Regulus, the baby now swaddled in a blanket.
However much it pained him, he shook his head in refusal.
"I need you to-" Regulus choked out his words, "-to bring him to the plaza in Hogsmeade."
"Master Regulus-" Kreacher started.
"Please", Regulus begged, "There'll be a couple there, the boy is tall- long hair and the girl has lovely mocha skin and dark curly hair."
Kreacher still very much disagreed with Regulus' wish. The elf wouldn't deny Regulus anything he'd ask for.
Regulus closed his eyes in the utmost physical and emotional pain and with a pop-
He was alone again.