-1979-
Regulus accepted his fate. He knows that he’s going to die. But he’s doing something good, right?
It’s his chance to prove to his brother and everyone that he wasn’t a coward and he never was on Voldemort’ side.
But if he’s doing something good, why is it so hard to get into the cave?
He knows what he has to do, he and Kreacher talked about plans for so long. Nobody except him knows he’s here.
For a moment everything is quiet. The sky is clear tonight and he spots Sirius immediately. The only sound he can hear is the waves crashing against the rocks of the cave. Regulus thinks that eighteen is such a young age to die. But yet again he became a deatheater at sixteen, forced by his parents, and entered a war he never wanted to be part of. After his seventh year at Hogwarts, he was supposed to go to France and study potions as an apprentice of one of the most talented wizards to exist in his generation. Instead, three times a week he found himself sitting at the dinner table at 12 Grimmaurd, his childhood home, assisting deatheaters meeting. And the rest of the days, he was doing assignments for his parents and Voldemort.
During the calm days he often would find himself wandering through Sirius’s room or writing letters to James, Pandora and his older brother.
He never sends them.
He glanced one last time at his brother, well at least his star “I’m so sorry for everything.” he whispered and went into the cave.
-
“What are you talking about, Kreacher? What’s even a Horcrux? Reggie is- did you say death? No, it’s not possible, no. Where is he? Is he already there-”
“Sirius, it’s going to be alright. We're going to get him.” Remus says, attempting to reassure his boyfriend. He tried to remain calm and not panic too much but it was bad, like really bad. He read about horcruxes once when he took one of the books from the restricted area of the library.
“You were talking about a cave, can we apparated there?” James, who listend silently to the conversation, finally asked.
“But- But it sounds dangerous. You aren’t seriously thinking of going there? What if there’s an ambush and death eaters atta- attack us?” Peter pointed out, pulling on the sleeves of his sweater. He sounded so scared.
“I don’t care Pete. I’m going to save my brother. And no one will stop me.”
“Kreacher, tell us where we have to go.”
-
Inferni started to crawl over to reach him. Regulus couldn’t help but think it was a bad idea. Maybe if he told Sirius everything, he would’ve listened to him and the order would be doing this instead of him. Maybe if he stood up for himself and ran away like Sirius did. But he did none of that. He was a coward after all.
“You’re just like them” Sirius said. He was right next to him.
He knew the poison would make him have hallucinations but he didn’t expect them to be like this.
“You chose them. You’re a deatheater Reggie.”
“I didn’t-”
“Don’t talk to me ever again”
“But-”
“You’re not my brother anymore.”
He knew it was all fake but it felt so real. He couldn’t help it. He started crying just like he always did when he was a child. “You’re the sensible one, Reg“ Sirius once told him when they were young.
Inferni approached, they were getting closer and closer. He had to get out of there. When he took a step forward, trying to get to the boat, he stumbled and almost fell. He took his wand trying to remember the spell to make the inferni go aways but he couldn’t remember it. All he could think about was Sirius and missed opportunities. God, so many missed opportunities. They could’ve have so much more time
The hallucinations were getting more and more realistic. He could’ve sworn he felt Sirius touch his shoulder. He started to see his mother too.
“You’re a disgrace. You’re lucky that your blood traitor of a brother got away because the only reason-”
“Coward!”
“Monster !”
“You’re a horrible person!”
“you're-” his mother’ and Sirius’ started.
“STOP!” He shouted “Stop it, stop it, stop it! I’m not a monster. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP !”
He started to walk to the boat but the moment he reached it a hand grabbed his ankle, pulling him into the water.
-
Sirius heard a scream. The moment he reached the black lake in the middle of the cave. And saw his brother he felt such relief, that was gone as soon as he saw Regulus being dragged into the water. They hadn’t talked in more than 3 years and the last time they saw each other they both said some really mean things but he was still Reggie, his little brother. He loved him more than anything. And would do everything for him. Even if Regulus didn’t think the same.
“REGGIE !”
“How are we going to get there in time? We could swim. There aren’t any boats left “
“We can’t James. Look there are hands in the water” Remus said.
« Inferni, it isn’t just hands sirs, it’s infernis. The dark lord put them to prevent anyone from going back from the cave, sirs » Kreacher said.
“Fire, they don’t like fire. We could throw incedio spells at them to leave Regulus alone so he could get on the boat.”
“You’re a genius Moony. “Sirius said. Every is going to be alright, he thought. They’re going to save him.
They all started to cast the incendio spell towards the inferni and Sirius started to shout to Regulus to get into the boat. It was a small boat, big enough to fit two people in.
The inferni started to go away, afraid to be touched by the fire and Regulus, who was almost entirely in the water, managed to get on the boat.
He was getting closer and closer while the marauders kept the inferni away. The moment the boat stopped near them; Sirius ran to make sure his brother was safe.
“Regulus ? Reggie, are you all, right?”
“Sirius ? Is it really you?”
« Yeah, it’s me you’re alright. You’re going to be alright. I got you now. » It’s all that Sirius had time to say before Regulus fainted.
-
“Master Regulus is awake. Is master Regulus feeling alright? Can I do anything for you sir?”
“Good morning Kreacher.” Regulus was still half asleep. When he opened his eyes the first thing, he saw was a big Gryffindor banner. Something was wrong, he tried to get up but it was painful.
“Oh.” Was all he said. He just remembered everything that happened. He touched his neck, making sure the horcrux was still there.
“You’re awake.” It’s Sirius. No, it’s- no it’s really Sirius, his older brother. “I was so worried; you’ve been asleep for so long and we couldn’t take you to the hospital because it’s been under the death eaters' control for a few weeks. I’m sure you know about it. And Poppy was nowhere to be found. But Remus was here and he knows a few spells so-”
“Sirius. “
“What?”
“You’re still here.”
“Of course, I told you ‘I've got you now’. I’m not going to let you slip away from me ever again. You’re my little brother and I never should’ve treated you the way I did.”
“You-, I- I missed you Siri.”
“I missed you too, Reggie. Now I think it’s time for a hug. “
And for the first time in merlin knows how long Regulus smiled. There in his brother’s arms, a tear sliding down his face he was feeling happy. Maybe things won’t be so bad after all. It won’t be easy and they’ll probably have a lot of things to work on but they’re going to try. They’ll have their happy ending.
-
-1982-
They finally killed Voldemort
They finally did it. They ended the war. It wasn’t easy, after all it took two bloody years. All this time Regulus, who was presumed dead, helped his brother and his friends end the war, hunting the other horcruxes and saved a lot of lives.
They caught most of the deatheaters, who are now serving their fair share of years in Azkaban, even Peter Pettigrew.
The wizarding world finally saw that the only thing Dumbledore cares about is himself and isn’t the headmaster anymore. He’s been replaced by Minerva McGonagall.
Now, Regulus is about to take the Hogwarts express and start his first year as the potion teacher. James, Sirius and Remus are here with him.
Sirius and Remus own a flat in London. It took a few months to finally trust and forgive each other but they managed to overcome it. Sirius is going to a muggle art university and Remus is studying literature. They don’t need to work because of the Black’s fortune Regulus and Sirius inherited after their parents' deaths. Pandora lives in a cottage with her husband, Xenophilius and her daughter Luna. Lily and James broke up, after they realised that they don’t have any romantic feelings for each other. James and Regulus eventually started seeing each other after they admitted their feelings one night on the middle of another fight (by the way since they started dating, they’re not fighting as often). Lily and Mary don’t live too far from James and Regulus’s home and Harry is so adorable. Dorcas and Marlene started to travel and see the world.
“You’ll write to me every day. “
“Of course, James.”
“And you’ll tell us all the teachers gossip.”
“Good one Moons. And tell us if any students will find the Map.” Sirius added.
“Tell Minnie we said hi.”
“I love you Regulus, I’ll miss you. “
“Je t’aime mon amour, à bientôt. I’ll miss you too. “James's face reddens. Regulus speaking French always has this effect on him. “Remus don’t forget to read that book I got you and Sirius, be careful with that bloody flying bike, I prefer you alive then dead, even if you’re a little annoying.”
“Hey I’m not annoying! And I’ll miss you too, baby brother.”
“If you don’t go now, you’ll miss the train Reg.” Remus said.
Regulus hugged Sirius then kissed James, before hurrying to catch the train.