Grimmauld Place
You've obviously heard about Grimmauld Place before but seeing it in person, you realize that Sirius never did it justice.
The house is heavily guarded from the outside, but once inside the hallway old-fashioned, dark furniture and matching tapestry covered in pictures from ancestors and seemingly expensive paintings welcomes visitors, it is the most beautiful house you have ever seen.
"But not really homey, I can't imagine children growing up here", you compared it to your parents house which was full of light and designed to look cozy rather than expensive.
When you see Regulus suddenly stiffen, standing in front of you with a straight back as if every muscle in his body is on alert, all your attention goes back to him.
Placing a hand on his back, you step to his side. "What's wrong?", you ask him, suddenly fearing he might throw you out again.
"He's here."
You knew this was going to come but your body still freezes at his words. Your hand is feeling way heavier on his back than it has before.
"How'd you know?"
"I hear a lot of voices coming from the dining room, there must be a spontaneous meeting happening right now."
"What do we do now?", you look at Regulus, not being able to hide the terrified look in your eyes from him.
Reality hits you at that moment, you're all alone in a house full of Death Eaters. They want to kill your family for supporting muggle-born witches and wizards. And you just voluntarily stepped into their headquarters.
"We go in there and act according to our plan.", was all he said while scratching his arm, his body language not matching the confidence his words implied.
Taking the hand you had still placed on his back, he starts walking across the hallway towards a big, dark door. As soon as you reach the door, he turns around, looking at you with these mesmerizing eyes. "Are you ready?"
You didn't even have the time to respond, when the door unexpectedly flew open and revealed the dining room full of people who turned their heads at you and Regulus.
"If that isn't a surprise. Regulus, why won't you come in and join us. Please bring your little friend along.", you heard a voice say, unable to detect where exactly it's coming from, but sure to who it belongs.
The hand around yours squeezes a little tighter before he starts walking towards the end of the big dining table. Several people have to step aside to let you both pass, loathing you with their stares.
Because there were so many people, you weren't able to see the entire room, only sensing the dark magic each and every one of the present radiates. Standing in front of the most feared wizard of your time, you know what you should feel is panic or even anger about everything he already took from you.
But all you seem to think at this moment is that he looks like a normal man. Handsome even, nothing like you imagined a mass murder and power-obsessed man to look like. "Anyone could be a death eater.", you remember James warning you.
His cold smile doesn't reach his eyes, when he looks at you, it brings a shiver down your spine, which you try to suppress so no one will see the effect Voldemort has on you. "Now is not the time to look like a whiny child, get it together.", gathering every ounce of bravery you have, straightening your back and looking back at him.
"Now why did Miss. Potter join us today?", he still looks at me, head slightly tilted, implying the question is meant seriously.
"I chose to.", is all you could say at the moment, not having been able to think properly about an answer that might be tolerable for the powerful wizard in front of you. He is already shifting his gaze towards Regulus, apparently not satisfied with your answer so you continue to explain: "I chose Regulus instead of the Order. I am not going to risk both of our lives anymore by meeting up secretly, I chose him."
You glance at Regulus, still standing besides you, holding your hand. He looks at you with a mixture of fear and pride. Seeing him like this makes you feel anger building up inside again. "How were they able to break him this fast?" Trying to soothe him, and yourself, you start caressing his finger with your thumb.
Turning your focus back on Voldemort, you realize he noticed your small interaction, a smile, not at all genuine but frightening, appears on his face.
"Is that what Dumbledore thinks he can present to me to get information? Tell me Potter, were you sent by the Order to come here by any means?", while asking the last question his attention went back to Regulus, the mocking in his tone undeniable.
Several Death Eaters start to laugh in the background, the loudest one being Bellatrix Lestrange, a laugh so vile and spiteful you'd recognize it everywhere.
"You seem to know his tactics very well Sir, I have been asked to do so but I declined. And I know you wouldn't believe me telling you this without any evidence, therefore I'll allow you to take a look inside my memories to be able to witness it."
"Allowing him to, you think you can allow the Dark Lord to do anything, you filthy blood-traitor!", you heard a woman screaming, murmuring growing in the room which had been entirely quiet just moments ago.
Turning around you see Bellatrix was the one screaming at you, hatred and madness burning in her eyes, not reacting to who you guess is her husband on her side, trying to make her sit down again.
"Quiet, everyone!", never in your life did you experience a room become still that fast. Bellatrix cowering in her seat like a hurt animal, you've never seen her lowering her gaze, always holding her head high before.
Your eyes focus back on the man, being powerful enough to silence a room full of adults in a second, sitting in front of you, waiting for him to respond to your proposal.
He doesn't voice an answer. Forcing himself into your mind is more than enough for you to know he agrees. A splitting pain goes through your head while he's searching for the day Dumbledore made you the offer.
Several images of your past flash through your head. Your first successful attempt casting a patronus, playing quidditch in your backyard with James and singing with Sirius in the common room after Gryffindor won a match.
Some moments he lingers longer on, the more painful ones. Trying to force him onto the right memory, you feel yourself falling on your knees while reliving the moment Sirius tried to convince you he didn't want to hurt Remus, screaming at each other both of you having tears in your eyes.
Grabbing your head, a desperate attempt to soothe the pain he inflicts on you, you concentrate on Dumbledore's office, walking towards the man who uses everyone for his own cause. And the conversation you had.
Slowly your vision matches the memory you try to conjure, Sirius disappearing, replaced by Dumbledore sitting in his office. You remember him watching you walking towards his desk, he called you because he needed a favour.
"Of course I'll be there, I want to help the Order alongside my friends.", thinking you'd do anything he asked from you to finally feel like they need you, never having been asked to do something before.
"I need you to do something important for me Jade and if you agree, you need to promise me to do anything I tell you to. This might be the most crucial part of the war, you cannot fail on this, do you understand?"
"What do I need to do?"
"Continue to build up Regulus Black's trust, join the Death Eaters and be my Double Agent."
"How do you know about Regulus and I?", remembering how my hands started to shake, knowing Dumbledore now has something to use against me when he needed it, afraid that he is not the only one knowing about us.
"A man like me has his eyes and ears everywhere, my dear.", he said, smiling. You were sure this was not supposed to feel like a threat but it did anyway.
"Then you know that I cannot betray his trust. I won't do what you asked me for."
"Jade this is about something bigger than this little affair of yours. I expected you to know where to draw the line. Being able to keep your family safe should be your priority."
"Do not bring my family into this! This is between us and what I decide upon is not my family's business. They will be kept safe by the Order either way I suppose, at least that's what they are being promised for following your orders."
"I always knew you were different from your family, but I'd never thought you would put the feelings of a Death Eater in front of your loved ones."
"I do love him.", your voice being silent enough for you to believe he might not have heard it at all. "My decision is final, I won't do it, if there is anything else I can do feel free to ask."