Chapter 2
“Our eldest son Sirius will take the mark this summer!” Walburga exclaimed.
The words echoed through Regulus’s head.
No
No
No
The room broke out in conversation, quiet muttering between families. Sirius’s face went pale, he turned to face his mother “What?” He asked, still in shock over the revelation.
“Sirius,” His mother asked, “Will you devote your life to the service of the Dark Lord?”
Regulus felt his brother’s fear and suspicion. She had never given them choices, there were never options in their house.
He can’t
He won’t
“NO!” Sirius yelled, interrupting Regulus’s panic. Seemingly shocked at the volume of his choice. The room went dead silent.
Regulus saw his mother’s face harden, though there was still a smile present on her face.
“Very well,” she said through gritted teeth “Go to the library, I will deal with you later”
Sirius sprinted out of the room, party guests parting for him.
Orion continued his speech, but Regulus couldn’t hear anything, blood was rushing to his ears, and his knees felt weak. He saw Evan and Barty walk up to him. But he couldn’t understand anything they were saying.
Suddenly he felt a shock like he was being pinched, he felt panic, fear, and pain. It was Sirius, he was in trouble.
I need to get to Sirius
He noticed a figure had followed Sirius out of the room, Bellatrix. He needed to leave, now.
He tried to run after Bella but Evan held him back.
“Mate, you can’t go after him, you’re going to get hurt.”
“I have to go after him,” Regulus pleaded, tears welling in his eyes “Please”
“But-“Evan started
“Let him go,” Barty interrupted “he’ll never forgive you if you don’t.”
Evan released Regulus’s arm, looking him in the eyes. “Please stay safe,” he said, desperately.
Regulus nodded, mouthed a silent “Thank you” and sprinted after Bella.
He ran past the rooms on the main floor and up the stairs, pausing slightly to catch his breath before a dull shock ran through his body. Pushing him forward, running toward the library. Regulus slowed down as he approached the corridor leading to the library, careful not to make any noise to alert Bella of his arrival. The huge mahogany door was left ajar, leaving a small enough crack for Regulus to squeeze through, ducking into the shadows.
He saw Sirius first, lying on the ground, curled up in a ball, withering in pain. Regulus had to resist the urge to run over him, pull him into his arms, and hug his brother like how Sirius used to comfort him. Suddenly he saw the three figures standing over him, Bella, Walburga, and Orion, wands drawn and pointed at Regulus’s elder brother. A wicked grin stretched across his cousin’s face as she berated Sirius with insults.
“…you’re a disappointment to the Dark Lord younger cousin,” She sneered “let’s hope your brother is more cooperative than you. Remember, we only need one”
Regulus’s heart started to race wildly.
They only need one. One. What are they going to do with Sirius? What are they gonna do to me?
Walburga stepped in front of Bellatrix “Calm down niece,” she grinned, fake sweetness dripping from her lips “I’m sure with enough discipline, we can convince him that this is the right path for him to take.” She stepped towards Sirius.
Regulus was running before he even realized what he was doing. As his mother raised her wand at Sirius, he was embracing him. Creating a shield with his body.
I haven’t been a good brother, but I can promise you, I’ll never let them hurt you again.
“Crucio!”
Pain like Regulus had never felt was coursing through his body. Every nerve ending was on fire, an indescribable agony, fire spreading inside him. Regulus convulsed and shook, but stayed around his brother, nothing would hurt Sirius anymore.
He felt Sirius’s surprise, he felt his dread, an anticipation of pain, evaporate. Then he felt worry, and guilt, so much guilt.
Regulus squinted up at his mother, who, for a moment, was utterly shocked. Her face betrayed her emotions for a fraction of a seconded before a look of disappointment returned to her face.
“Get off him” she berated “you both disgust me”
Regulus didn’t move.
“Very well,” she said “Flagrante!”
Regulus’s robes began to burn, hotter and hotter, suddenly his skin was burning. He seared his skin, blistering and bubbling under the heat of the robe. Regulus tore off his robe, curling up on the ground whimpering in pain, blinking in and out of consciousness.
As his mother, father and Bellatrix left, feeling that enough punishment had been served, Regulus could see two figures looking into the room, Evan and Barty. He could only manage to mouth two words before the door was closed. “I’m sorry”
Sirius ran around the room “Shit. Shit. Shit. Reg, I’m so sorry” he rambled, tears spilling out of his eyes “This is all my fault”
Regulus tried to speak, but he had no energy left.
“We have to leave.” Sirius said, “Now.”
He started to dig around near the fireplace, looking for floo powder. Regulus knew it was hopeless, the fireplace was purely for decoration, no one ever left floo powder in the library. Suddenly, something in the corner of the room caught his eye.
“Sirius,” he managed to say “The door”
Sirus’s head turned and saw the same thing Regulus had, a container of floo powder right next to the door, it hadn’t been there a second ago.
“You’re a bloody genius Reg!” Sirius exclaimed running towards the door.
He wrapped his younger brother in a blanket and threw the powder into the fireplace.
“Potter Manor,” he said, and stepped into the fireplace.
Tumbling into the Potter’s living room, Regulus heard a shriek of an older woman, Euphemia Potter.
“Fleamont! James!” she screamed, “Get my healing supplies.”
Suddenly, he was in her arms, “It’s okay,” she whispered, “I’m never going to let you go back.”
Then Regulus blacked out.