Regulus had always loved the water. Being in london, they’d only ever been to the beach once, and even then, his mother had kept him on a tight leash, barring him from the glistening waves.
Once as a young boy, he’d let the bathtub fill up over half way. It had been a thrill. Excitement chewed at his gut. All of that had flown a way when he heard his mother march up the stairs. Thump. Thump. Thump. Regulus’ heart dropped. His hand flew to his rubber ducky but the bubbles were too slippery and as his mother barged through the door- BANG- his only friend flew from his hands. He never ran his baths past half way again. Not ever.
Every day Regulus spent in the house of Black, he fell asleep to the imaginary beat of waves crushing and crashing around him. However, he always remained completely dry save for a slight, salty, cool spray against his cheeks. It felt good. It was his escape.
Thats why, as he got older and began reading about Hogwarts (in hopes to impress his older brother with his knowledge) he’d looked forward to the slytherin’s underwater rooms.
And as the months until Hogwarts began to shorten, little Reggie fell asleep to the image of an underwater bedroom filled with fish and mermaids and a gentle current rocking him like a mother would.
—-
Even as a fifth year, far from his innocent youth- or so he thought-, every time he sat on the ledge of the window, regulus couldn’t help but reminisce on who he used to be and who he could’ve become. The water was silent and calm under the lake. It felt as though reality was enhanced. And as life above the surface was becoming increasingly hectic, regulus yearned for the serine escape below.
—-
As the inferni pulled him further down, he fought. He struck with his knees and created massive waves as he thrashed. But the water was rough, unrelentless and cruel. It tore his born apart, pulling and tugging. His muscles grew rapidly weak. His silent screams were filled with liquid and salt.
Somebody needed to save him! But there was nobody there. His muscles ached and regulus felt himself go limp. He let go of the life above, littered with chaos, chanting and cruelty. He let his heart and mind sink, melting beyond the bottom of the pool. It was quiet and calm. For the first and last time in his life, he felt safe. Finally.
—-
His bones lie under a gentle current, rocking them like a mother would. Occasionally, even a few fish would hide beneath him.