Inferius | Regulus Black

"I think you look grand, your majesty." Said Annabelle, practically laying on top of him as she did his makeup. "Stay still."

"At least use the silver. To bring out my eyes." Said Regulus, his hand was on her arse. Annabelle pretended she did not notice.

"As you wish." She said, Regulus shut his eyes and Annabelle dragged a golden eye shadow across his lids, adverse to his wishes.

Wicked, she knew. Regulus' hand moved between her arse and the small of her back every few minutes. Annabelle picked up the eyeliner.

"Belle, given your horrendous handwriting- how am I meant to trust you with this?" Asked Regulus, Annabelle scowled at him.

She loved him. Merlin, how she wished he loved her as much.

"I do my own." Said Annabelle.

"Again, I restate-"

"Oh piss off you english twat toaster muffin."

"Toaster muffin?" Said Regulus. "Whatever could that mean?" Annabelle's hand was on his chest, steadying herself over him. She would move it, but Regulus held it. Over the steady beating of his heart.

So she could feel his breath catch each time he looked at her anew. So she could feel his heart speed up when she smiled.

"Just hold still." Said Annabelle. "And shut your eyes. Or I sell 'em on the black market. Take the money, and run away with my truest love. Reginald-"

Regulus rolled his eyes and did as told.

"Yes, my love." He breathed, she felt his hand rise from her back, slowly reaching the back of her neck.

"Thank-" Regulus pulled her lips to his. His hand at the base of her skull guiding her, his kiss slow and steady against her lips.

Annabelle's eyes shut and the eyeliner fell from her hand, her fingers went through his hair. Regulus smiled into the kiss.

"Annabelle I want you to marry me." Said Regulus between kisses. "We can wait. If you want. I just want to be-" Annabelle's hand was at the base of his neck, he moaned quietly in approval. "I just-" Regulus held her hair, right at the back of her head, and pulled her away so he could look her in the eye. "I just want to be clear."

Annabelle's eyes flickered all over his face. He was so beautiful. Handsome. Pretty. Regulus held her jaw to keep her focused on his words. Regulus' eyes darkened when a small gasp left her. He was so fit.

"I love you." He lied. Annabelle knew it was a lie, his dark mark exposed. And time and time again he would fail to choose her.

Annabelle did not care. Even if he was not hers, she was his, for as long as he wanted her. It was sickeningly romantically sincere.

Overwhelming was the word Annabelle would use. She felt at times Regulus should not be allowed near streets or airplaines because if he so much as smiled there would be crashes.

"I love you." She confessed, honesty dripping from her eyes, from her actions, and forgiveness. "Too much."

"No such thing, my lovely darling Belle," Said Regulus, Annabelle melted into him, her lips on his again.

Annabelle barely registered the door to Regulus' room opening.

Andromeda cleared her throat, Annabelle sprang off of Regulus. She moved away quickly, unable to get far when Regulus' hand refused to release hers as he struggled to sit up.

Annabelle felt her face turn hot. Her insides begun to riot. She glanced at Regulus several times. Eyes drifting to him every few moments.

They had never been caught. Annabelle was unsure of what she felt only that it was white hot, and insecure burning in her lungs as she wondered whether Regulus would instinctively shove her under the bed to hide her away.

"Ted is making pancakes." Said Andromeda. She was looking at Annabelle. Only at Annabelle.

Annabelle must be the colour of a lobster. If someone spread tartar on her she could pass off as the seafood delicacy.

"Pancakes sound good." Said Annabelle. Andromeda nodded.

"You're feeling better?" Andromeda said, directed at Regulus. Still looking at Annabelle. The white hot flame flickered.

"Not particularly." Said Regulus.

"Snogging is a remedy to very few ailments." Said Andromeda. Annabelle felt her stomach roll into a tight little bow. "Annie. Nymphadora is asking for you."

"Oh. Alright." Said Annabelle, moving away from Regulus, who managed to sit up a little to kiss her chastely before she could leave.

Annabelle blushed furiously unused to the practically public display of affection.

Annabelle left the room. Andromeda remained. She looked at her baby cousin. All grown up.

"Muggles put a sock on the door." Said Andromeda, she did not approach him.

"Muggles also have competitive eating contests." Said Regulus.

"Regulus." Started Andromeda. "Do you ever feel selfish?"

"For what?" Asked Regulus. Andromeda shook her head and looked away from him.

"I see how she looks at Ted. Like a child looks at superman." Said Andromeda. "It's sweet. But naive."

"I do not know who this superman fellow is." Said Regulus. "How could my loving her be selfish? Of all things?"

Regulus was bleeding through the bandage on his shoulder but he did not care.

"You should have chosen her then." Said Andromeda.

"And you call Belle naive. I didn't have a choice."

"There is always a choice. Sirius made it. I made it-"

"Please." Scoffed Regulus. "Sirius had a spare. And open fireplaces. And an apparition license which never faced sporadic suspensions. And you- well you got knocked up Dromeda. Disownment is not the same as making a choice."

Andromeda's hands balled into fists.

"You backed yourself into that corner you feel so safe in, Regulus." Said Andromeda. "I am going to miss Annie when you get her killed."

"You have no idea-"

"You came to my home for her." Said Andromeda. "You're a death eater. In my house. For her. You know this means she cannot stay here if you will always come for her- You. Are. Selfish. I miss my little cousin. Not whatever this imitation of him is."

"I love her."

Andromeda shook her head. And she walked away.

-*-

"It makes perfect sense," Said Annabelle.

"Belle. No it does not." Said Regulus, stirring the sugar into her tea. "Tonks, perhaps she'll listen to you." Regulus' eyes never left Annabelle.

Ted flipped a pancake onto the plate. Annabelle's chair was close to Regulus'. Her hand on his shoulder, idly fixing his bandages.

Ted set the pancakes on the table. Nymphadora was drawing a picture next to him.

"Perhaps." Ted mimicked.

Regulus was wearing a jumper Annabelle had very clearly made for him it was knit and green with small cat patterns on the cuffs, bandages visible on his collarbone.

"Our cats meet-" Started Annabelle.

"How would the cats meet?" Challenged Regulus. Ted was shocked when Annabelle did not set Regulus on fire. "The cat park? I was under the impressions those did not exist."

"Fate. Your majesty. F. A. T. E." Said Annabelle. "And I am taking pains-"

"Taking pains?" Scoffed Regulus. "Oh, Belle, I hadn't realized, do go on." Regulus nearly laughed at her glare.

Her hand moved to simply rest on his shoulder, drawing small circles on his injured arm.

"I'm trying to find his veterinarian. And then a chance encounter."

"So by fate you meant stalking?"

"That has such negative connotations."

"Imagine that. Stalking having negative connotations." Said Regulus. Annabelle threw her napkin at him. Regulus caught the balled up tissue easily. Annabelle took a deep cleansing breath at his smug little smile.

"Right so, the cats meet, and naturally they become best friends."

"Naturally. What if his cat doesn't like your cat? What if they have opposing political views?" Asked Regulus.

"I have raised David Meowie to the best of my abilities, do you not think that included what I assume to be the political views of Freddie Mercury's cats?" Said Annabelle.

"Go on."

"Thank you. Now our cats are best friends and they have playdates, and of course I'm there."

"Naturally."

"And then boom, we're best friends, and I leave you for the drummer." Said Annabelle, sipping her tea. Horrible as always. She loved it. Regulus' smug smile fell.

"What-"

"Sorry you have to find out this way, your majesty." Said Annabelle. Regulus scowled, pulling a curl of her hair delicately before releasing it and watching it spring into shape.

"I like this plan." Said Ted, nodding. "If you succeed, may I have the guitarist with the hair?"

"Yeah, I'm sure it's buy one get one free." Said Annabelle.

"I see nothing wrong with this plan, little Black,"

"I'm taller than you." Grumbled Regulus.

"In fact I wish to arrange step one. Who do you think is his veterinarian?" Asked Ted.

"You're married, Tonks." Said Regulus.

"Well, little Black, I have absolutely no faith Annie's plan will work so my marriage will remain very much in tact." Said Ted, Annabelle threw one of Nymphadora's crayons at him.

"I have hardly even seen the so called cat since arriving." Said Regulus. "I'm hard pressed to believe the fur ball exists."

"Mister Meowie is hiding so he can attack you, and you can win respect." Said Nymphadora, turning her drawing around. "I saw it. In a dream."

"Do your dreams often come true?" Asked Regulus, eyeing the crayon drawing warily.

"Sometimes."

"Do I win?" Asked Regulus.

"Yes!" Said Nymphadora while shaking her head. "Of course." She turned to Annabelle. "I'm sorry for your loss."

-*-

"Regulus's a talented telepath keeper outer," said Annabelle, grasping at straws as Andromeda packed her suitcase with more care than Annabelle's belongings had ever been shown.

"Occlumens." Corrected Andromeda. "It's not worth the risk. You're welcome here, Annie. He's not."

Andromeda folded Annabelle's dresses, suits, t shirts, shorts, skirts, and vests into neat piles fitting them all easily into the extended suitcase.

A bitter silence hung between them.

"You know he's weak." Said Andromeda. "You never gave him an ultimatum. You know you would lose."

Annabelle blinked very rapidly. She didn't understand why her eyes were stinging.

"No. I-" Her words fell away. "I just didn't-" She tried again. Andromeda had organized Annabelle's wall of conspiracies into binders now being sorted into a small red suitcase.

"I'll miss you. Nymphadora will miss you as well."

"Can I still come round-"

"Once the fidelius is instated." Said Andromeda. Annabelle nodded slowly. She sniffled and Andromeda paused momentarily before resuming.

"This is for the best, Annie." Said Andromeda. "You'll figure something out. You are the least helpless person I've ever met."

"I just, I like it here."

Andromeda nodded.

"You should probably get Regulus ready to go."

Anger flooded through Annabelle rapidly. She wanted to shout at Andromeda for making her go, and forcing her to leave Nymphadora. She was angry Andromeda was right. And she was angry with Regulus for proving it.

Annabelle took a deep breath.

"Aye, Andromeda, I will." Said Annabelle.

Annabelle wanted to cry out in frustration at herself. Words weren't working. She felt embarrassed. She felt embarrassed she was in love with someone so ashamed of her and everything she could never change about herself.

Annabelle walked slowly, making sure not to step on the cracks of the wooden floor. Hopping quietly from one wooden plank to the next. She reached Regulus' room, her hand hovered over the golden handle for a few moments before she finally opened the door.

"Belle! Thank Merlin, that thing is trying to kill me."

Annabelle immediately drew her wand and then burst in laughter.

Regulus. Her boyfriend, seeker for the Slytherin team. And accomplished duellist. Not to mention head of the noble and most ancient house of black, was crouched on a night stand as David Meowie hopped up on his bed.

Regulus had opened a parasol to shield himself from the kitten. Annabelle had forgotten Andromeda kept her old parasols in this room.

"It's a cat-"

"That is most certainly not a cat."

"Yeah, he is." Said Annabelle, David jumped up into her arms. "And he's the prettiest kitty in the whole wide world, yes he is. Whose the prettiest kitty?" The cat meowed. "That's right. It's you."

"Aelin, have you not noted how large he is?"

"Do not shame him, Black," She covered the cat's ears, "He's sensitive bout that. Positive words only, yeah?"

"That is a cat-sith." Said Regulus, positively alarmed. As Annabelle scratched the little terror between the ears.

"Say that again but slower."

The cat moved to nestle its head in the crook of her neck. Regulus was distressed. The lace parasol remaining open in front of him.

Annabelle felt a giggle escape her.

"This is not funny. That thing is dangerous."

"And the Parasol is gonna stop him?" Asked Annabelle, giggles turning into laughs. "Oh no, a wee parasol. Save yourself, Meowie, save yourself."

"According to legends it's a soul stealer-"

"Must be why he doesn't like gingers that much." Said Annabelle, snickering at her own joke. The cat moved to sit across her shoulders. "Didn't like Evans much did you, darlin'?"

The cat meowed in reluctant agreement.

"It was a Cat-sith who killed the Sorcerer king Arthur, the Cath Pulug. I really don't feel I'm being over dramatic." Said Regulus, a waver in his tone.

Annabelle's smile grew so wide her nose scrunched and she was forced to look away.

"You're an idiot, your majesty."

Annabelle would not leave Regulus.

Regulus brought her home with him. Tucking her away in Black Manor. Away from anyone who may hurt her.

Then Regulus' arm burned. He looked at it. And he left her.

As soon as he was gone Annabelle cried.

Her cat was confused as Annabelle tucked him under the covers of the bed.

Annabelle sobbed loudly and openly as the portraits looked and gawked at her. A mudblood in their midst.

She didn't know why this massive house felt so empty. Why she felt so cold. She was so cold.

She cried and she rummaged through her suitcase hunting for a pack of cigarettes. She found them, and walked through the corridors, she quickly became lost.

Each hall lined with more portraits than the last, shouting at her to get out.

"Mudblood." Said one as an insult. The portrait did not know it was true merely wanted to degrade her.

"Filth in the noble and most ancient house of Black!" Shouted another.

A portrait of the late Cygnus and Druella Black did not even bother to look at her.

Annabelle resisted the urge to smoke. She could just hold the carton and she would be fine. She could just open the carton and look. Annabelle stood under an elabroate chandelier in a random corridor staring at the cigarettes. She was so cold.

Annabelle wiped away tears as she looked at a portrait of a young Regulus Black. He looked about ten, with his brother and cousins.

She did not belong here. She did not belong with him. She did not belong in this house. She most certainly did not belong in this house without him.

Annabelle begun to panic, breathing turning erratic as she opened doors at random. She nearly laughed when she found a ballroom.

A ballroom. And then a second semi smaller ballroom. She found a bathroom eventually, she looked at the lavish lavatory.

Annabelle opened a window desperate for breath and lit a cigarette, smoking as she ran the water in the tub. Annabelle removed her clothes.

She sank into the clear warm water, a cigarette between her lips and she sobbed. She was still so cold.

Annabelle cried.

-*-

Walburga Black was ill. Kreacher was tending to her. She refused Regulus' attempts to visit her, saying 'he doesn't have an heir, he must not want to see his mother in her hour of need'.

Annabelle was in the bath. Regulus was attempting to heal the scar which crossed her torso with a series of potions.

"Maybe you could borrow Dora. Have her change her hair. Lie your arse off." Said Annabelle.

"I could never do that."

"Yeah. I like your arse too much too." Said Annabelle. With a wicked smile. Regulus blushed prettily. He would get into the bath with her and fuck her until she forgot her last name wasn't Black if the bath were not medicinal.

"I wish you could live here forever." Said Regulus. It was a reprise.

"In the bath? I will become a prune."

"You know what I meant." Said Regulus, "Sit up."

"Why?"

"I want to try the spells again. And look at your phenomenal rack as well." Said Regulus as Annabelle sat up. The scar just wasn't healing.

Regulus' arm burned. He looked at it, and then at her.

"Just go."

"I'm taking care of you right now." Said Regulus, a look of distress on his face.

"Black. Don't get yourself killed over a scar maybe healing." Said Annabelle. Regulus nodded, and he knelt beside the tub to kiss her forehead and bid her farewell.

Regulus returned to a note that she was on a mission. Regulus was not fond of this.

Annabelle returned eventually, slipping into bed with him.

"How was it?" Asked Regulus in a whisper, wasting no time in pulling her close.

"Productive." Said Annabelle. "Dumbledore was there."

"I hate him."

"He wants me to be an auror." Said Annabelle.

"So he can control you for longer." Said Regulus. The lovely and violent witch in his arms was oblivious to the manipulation.

"No." Said Annabelle, shaking her head. Regulus kissed her forehead.

Sometimes when Annabelle fell asleep in his arms, and he looked at her, he became overwhelmed with the thought that she existed.

He told her as much.

"Existing? Me? I'm an illusion, your majesty." Said Annabelle, teasing him.

"Stop that."

"It's you. Me. Your sleep paralysis demon-"

Regulus kissed her to shut her up. "Go to sleep." He whispered.

He grew fond of early morning sex. The romance of it all as she clung to his shoulders, and the way she looked at him.

Regulus enjoyed the feel of her waking in his arms, and the sound of small moans as he kissed her neck, his hand slowly sliding to her cunt. She would plead for him.

"Please, touch me." She whispered.

"So pretty for me." He said, as his fingers ran through her folds, she moved back into him, Regulus' lips were on her neck. He even loved the stupid t shirts Annabelle wore to sleep for the feeling of sliding his hands beneath them to touch her.

Annabelle moaned into his mouth. Regulus moved so slowly as he lay her on her back and pulled the t shirt from her. His kisses reached every inch of her skin.

"Inside me. Now." She demanded, Regulus pushed himself inside her cunt, moaning at the feel of her around him.

"Annabelle," He said, relishing every touch, feel, and taste of her. "Oh, Annabelle."

Her breaths grew erratic. Her eyes fluttered, and she came, nails digging into his back, and cries echoing in his ears.

This must be heaven. She was the closest to heaven that he'd ever be. Regulus' arm burned as he collapsed beside her. He looked at it. Then at her.

"At least shower first." She panted, rolling away from him.

Regulus reached for her. Annabelle moved away, shaking her head.

"Just go." She said.

Regulus' arm burned harshly again.

"Go." Said Annabelle.

Regulus left.

-*-

Regulus gave her a tour of the gardens the following day.

Regulus sat on the fallen tree trunk opposite Annabelle. He looked up at the gaps of sunlight between the leaves.

Regulus was teaching Annabelle to play chess. The board was balanced precariously on the tree trunk between them.

"Knight to E7. Checkmate." Said Regulus. Annabelle scowled as she watched her king be slaughtered again. Regulus hummed in victory as he reset the board.

"I hate this game."

"We can play the barbarian way." Said Regulus. "With our hands. I mean if you think it'll help."

"I will take this wee king and shove so far up your arse I can pull it out your mouth." Said Annabelle, waving it in his face. Regulus took the piece from her and set it on the board.

"You keep leaving yourself open to attack." Said Regulus. "You just need to think a few more steps ahead."

"You keep ending the game when you take the king." Said Annabelle crossly.

"Yes. that is in fact how chess works." Said Regulus. "Did I forget that bit?"

"Yeah, your majesty you did." Said Annabelle, scowling at him.

"In my defense, there was a detour in which your gave every piece a backstory." Said Regulus.

"It makes it so much better your majesty."

"Would you like to play again with your new understanding of the rules?"

"Yes. Absolutely I would." Said Annabelle. Regulus reset the board. "I'm going to get my dad from prison tomorrow." She added.

"Oh. Why? He belongs there." Said Regulus. His face hardened.

"Regulu-"

"Tomorrow you go on a date with me. Instead. An improvement no doubt." He suggested. Opening the chess match.

"You're always being summoned away." Said Annabelle. Randomly selecting a pawn to move forward.

"I'll ignore it." Said Regulus. "I'll ignore it." He repeated as he very deliberately thrust a knight forth on the chess board.

"Can you really do that without imminent threat of death?" Asked Annabelle, moving a horse forward because it looked cool.

"Well. I'm more comfortable with dying than you spending any time with your father." Said Regulus. He captured her horse with a pawn and set himself up to take her knight.

"He's my dad, besides Olivia will be there." Said Annabelle, randomly moving a pawn and foiling his plan.

"I do not want you to be near him." Said Regulus. "I do not want you to forgive him for a damned thing he has done to you." He moved his horse forward, bating her to capture it.

"Regu-"

"I do not trust you alone with your parents. Especially after you forgave your mother- I mean, you were abandoned." Regulus shook his head. "Annabelle. It's okay to be done with your parents."

Annabelle captured the horse with hers. He took her knight. Close to the queen and the king now.

Annabelle decided to move her king. A bizarre twist of events. Regulus was unsure of what to do.

"Oh, hello pot, I'm kettle nice to meet you." Said Annabelle, scowling at him.

"I had Kreacher. I had Sirius, for a while at least. My parents promised me riches, a life of luxury, and told me I was better than everyone-" Said Regulus.

"So long as you complied." Said Annabelle, her eyes were narrowed. He moved a knight. She moved a pawn forward cause she hadn't touched one yet.

"Shite covered in gold is just really shiny shite, your majesty." Said Annabelle.

"It's better than being beaten into thinking I was unloveable." Said Regulus. It was a mistake. Regulus knew Annabelle was about to cry. Mostly because the chess board was now on fire. He put it out.

"My parents love me." Said Annabelle. "They just weren't meant to be parents. It's different."

"Annabelle you still find it hard to believe I could love you."

"You ever think maybe you might have somethin' to do with that? The whole being friends with the blokes who made me understand the meanin' of the word mudblood and all?" Asked Annabelle. "The ones who killed my cat, set my homework on fire, tried to bully me out of the magical world, and you let them. Or you just didn't see anything wrong with it until you decided you loved me."

She took his king. Regulus was unsure of how it had happened in so few moves.

"That is not true. I am sorry any of my actions lead you to believe it was. Immeasurably. I fell in love with you. I love you more than anything, more than everything. I would die for you."

"I know you love me, would die for me, you would sooner die for me than ever admit to anyone else, anyone who means anything to you, that you love me." Said Annabelle, the words leaving her lips far too quickly for a filter to catch them.

Regulus was silent for a moment.

He shouldn't have brought her to his manor. He should not have left her alone. He should not have gone to Andromeda's to take her with him when he left.

Regulus felt tears prick his eyes. However if he cried, Annabelle would comfort him. And it wasn't about what he needed right now.

"I will go with you to collect your father." Said Regulus.

Annabelle had not been expecting that. She blinked.

"You will?"

"Yes. I should meet him. I also do not know what muggle prison is like. I hear there is a nice sense of community. Perhaps a goal of rehabilitation was achieved." Said Regulus.

"I don't need you to protect me."

Annabelle did not need his protection from anything, but he would be damned if anyone so much as touched his witch let alone hurt her again.

"Yes. Well, I think you will look silly carrying the parasol for protection around the prison. It doesn't suit you. However I think it suits me fine." Said Regulus, putting the chess pieces away. "Something about the lace."

Annabelle did not say anything. Regulus removed his jumper and gave it to her. She was probably cold. She put his jumper on.

"I love you." He said. "I am sorry I hurt you."

"It's just easy to say-"

"You know that's not true."

"Dad won't like you. You're English." Said Annabelle.

"I can pretend to be a Scot," Said Regulus, putting on a deplorable Scottish accent, laughter bubbled up within Annabelle.

"That's horrendous."

"This is exactly how you sound." Said Regulus, continuing it, and taking her hands in an attempt to warm them.

"It is not." Said Annabelle.

"I reckon," He mimicked, "It's you, me, the locket in your pocket."

"Stop."

"Oi dead people stop hauntin' me boyfriend!" Said Regulus, mimicking her still, Annabelle scowled at him. "I luv you. Tu much."

Annabelle suppressed her grin, her nose scrunching.

"Sorry, Black, gotta keep fings propah borin' -aven't we?" She said in an exaggerated imitation of him. Regulus covered his smile with his hand.

He loved her so much. More now than he used to. He was unsure of how it was possible.

"Come. I shall make you tea." He said, getting off the tree and extending a hand to help her down.

"I don't think you should meet my Dad." Said Annabelle.

"Why not?"

"He's not- I don't want you to get the wrong impression of him." Said Annabelle.

"What impression is that?"

"He's not the worst dad in the world."

"And jazz is good music."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, I just thought we were saying blatant untruths." Said Regulus, Annabelle scowled at him.

"Why do you want to meet him then?" Asked Annabelle. "If he's so horrible?"

"He raised you. I'm curious. Don't you want to meet my mother?"

"I don't fancy serving twenty to life, your majesty." Said Annabelle.

"How is that any diff-"

"My parents didn't make me join a death cult, Regulus." Said Annabelle.

"That's, that's a good point." Said Regulus, carrying the chess board under one arm. "You are going to Potter's wedding soon?"

Annabelle nodded. "I'd invite you, but I don't want you to get too jealous of a ginger, your majesty."

"Piss. Off. You fancied my cousin." Said Regulus. "I'd fly you to the loony bin myself if you weren't afraid of heights."

"Regulus. It's a wee bit challengin' to find someone who's not your cousin." Said Annabelle.

"I managed." Said Regulus, squeezing her hand. "I was nearly betrothed once. Before sixth year. It was the first time I ever shouted at my father."

"Nearly betrothed? To who? To Sayre?"

"I hardly remember. All I could think of was how she was not you." He confessed.

And Annabelle caved.

-*-

Annabelle compromised. She invited Regulus to dinner with her sister and father. Annabelle was nervous.

"Annie!" Her father called, winning the whole pub's attention. Annabelle stood to hug him.

Regulus nearly wrinkled his nose in distaste. It was the same way he had seen her hug Dumbledore.

"Still unused to this, aye?" Said Arthur, messing up Annabelle's hair.

"Da,"

"You look like your mother's gotten ahold of you," Said Arthur fondly. So fondly Regulus nearly forgot the volatile divorce. Arthur paused to look at Annabelle's unruly curls, he pulled one a little to the left and nodded. "Perfect, sweetheart."

Annabelle's father was tall, and strong looking. He was paler than Annabelle was, freckles spotted his cheeks and there was a faint tinge of ginger in his brown curls.

The man was covered in tattoos. Alice was tattood over his heart. My Ali, forever. There were two twin flowers on his arms. Olivia and Annie written beneath them. Annabelle's teddybear was tattood on his arm.

The rest were tasteless. A pirate ship. A pinup girl. A blunt. An octopus. There were military tattoos as well.

Regulus loathed the sight of him.

"Da, this is my boyfriend, Regulus." Said Annabelle, introducing him as Regulus sat next to her in the booth of the pub.

"It is nice to meet you, sir." Said Regulus.

Arthur leant back in his seat and looked him over. Regulus had to tug at Annabelle's sleeve to remind her to sit down. Regulus took her hand beneath the table.

"Why is he talkin' like that?"

"He's English, da." Said Annabelle, shrinking a little in her seat at the admission. Arthur was shocked. "I know. It's not me fault- I mean he can't help where he's born."

"Hiya, Regulus," Said Olivia walking in and sitting at the table. She set the car keys down and begun flipping through the menu.

"Doll." Said Arthur, Olivia looked up, "Regulus is English?"

"He can do magic too, Da, doesn't end at the union jack." Said Olivia.

Regulus spotted several tattoos on Arthur's forearm dedicated to Doll.

"You're tellin' me the Regulus has been English this whole time?" Asked Arthur. Regulus' eyebrows furrowed.

"I thought your father didn't know about me." Whispered Regulus.

"I lied." Whispered Annabelle. Roses bloomed beneath her cheeks.

"You lied? I'm astonished."

"Are you a prod?" Asked Arthur.

"A what?"

"He's not a protestant, Da." Said Annabelle. Arthur looked unconvinced.

"I promise I am not a protestant, sir. I am a warlock, I haven't been very exposed to muggle religion." Said Regulus.

"Ever read a bible?" Asked Arthur.

"Not this joke, Da," Grumbled Olivia, rolling her eyes.

"Ever read a bible?" Repeated Arthur.

"...no." Said Regulus.

"Don't bother, they kill off the main character half way through." Said Arthur.

Annabelle snickered while Olivia picked up a fork, drawing it slowly closer to her eye.

"Every day I get closer." Whispered Olivia.

"You've got such lovely eyes, doll, it'd be a shame to ruin them." Said Arthur, taking the fork from her. "Did I ever tell you about the time I threatened someone with just a fork?"

"Uncle Rick did that, so he did." Said Olivia. Annabelle's hand was colder. Regulus glanced at her.

"Who do you think he learnt it from?" Asked Arthur. "Trick is, no one on the outside can see the fork, and you drive it into an artery. Sod'll be in so much pain he'll give you whatever you want."

Sounded familiar.

"Annie's told me all about you, Regulus." Said Arthur. "Four in the mornin' on a boat- and all I'd hear- look da, that one's Regulus. That star." Arthur scoffed, and picked up a roll of bread from the basket on the table. He cut it in half, buttered each and gave one to Annabelle and one to Olivia. "And then, fancy guessin' what I was bullied by a thirteen year old into namin' my third boat?"

"I'm going to die, da, stop." Said Annabelle, she was blushing.

"The Leonis. I got the shite kicked out of me at the pub for that one." Said Arthur, Annabelle had sunken into her chair, and refused to look at Regulus.

"What were you in prison for, Mister Aelin?" Asked Regulus.

"Tax evasion." Said Arthur.

This. This was the one man Regulus loathed more than Houdini and his insipid Glowfish.

"Annabelle mentioned you were in the army." Said Regulus.

"Aye." Said Arthur. "You don't really know who you are until you need to do somethin' bad for something good."

"Don't ask him questions about himself or he'll never shut up." Said Olivia, trying to weigh the options of fish and chips vs a nice shepard's pie. "Annie you get the shepards pie and I'll get the fish and chips."

"I want the fish and chips." Said Annabelle.

"Yeah. You'll get half."

"But you don't like it with the wee bit of lemon."

"Because I'm not a barbarian."

"Neither of you are gettin' fish and chips- I'll take you to the chippy. Get you real food, aye?" Said Arthur. "But later,"

"What did you do for the army?" Asked Regulus.

"I was in the navy. Transitioned into wet work,"

"Wet work? Was the navy not already a little bit damp?"

"I was a sniper. Shame Livie never inherited an ounce of aim." Said Arthur as Olivia failed to toss a balled up napkin at the bus boy passing with the bin. "But at least there's Annie."

"A least." Repeated Regulus. Arthur Aelin was making Regulus so irretrievably angry in this moment. How Annabelle had not burnt her father alive was beyond him.

Annabelle Aelin had killed Gulliver Lestrange by vanishing all his internal organs with a rune so complex it had taken Regulus days to figure out how she had done it.

And Gulliver Lestrange had never done anything to her. And yet this man, this horrid man, was allowed to roam around freely.

"I'm thinkin' of sellin' the boats." Said Arthur. "Pair of you should go to college, and I would rather chop my bawbags up than have you ask Ernest for the money."

"Really, Da?" Said Olivia.

"Anything your the pair of yous, really,"

Oh the bastard was not going to feign the perfect father now. Regulus was tempted to kill him.

He refrained. He invisioned snapping Arthurs ribs of one by one and using the broken bones to gauge his eyes out. A calming image.

"Did you attend college, Mister Aelin?" Asked Regulus.

"Nae. I was an army man, through and through. Until I met Alice. I was an Alice man through and through." Said Arthur.

"Are you not divorced?"

Arthur's eyes darkened and for a split second Regulus wondered whether Arthur was about to hit him. He felt he had been in a warm stream which had suddenly frozen.

"We are still married in the eyes of god." Said Arthur.

"My apologies, sir." Arthur nodded.

"Don't be mean to him, Da, Annie likes him." Said Olivia.

"What do you do for work, Regulus?" Asked Arthur.

"I am currently managing my late father's estate and taking over the various roles he filled at the ministry as well as the bank of the wizarding world." Said Regulus.

"Posh boy isn't he," Said Arthur, and the distaste was suddenly mutual. "You never mentioned this, Annie." He flagged down the waiter. "Pint of beer for me, cheers mate."

Annabelle got uncomfortable. Regulus could tell she was uncomfortable. Her hands were cold, she bit the inside of her cheek, and her hard fought for but insufficient emotional intelligence did not understand why she was uncomfortable and she was adjusting her clothes.

"I would prefer you didn't, sir." Said Regulus before the waiter could leave. "I am sober, and while being in a pub is fine, I will struggle if I see someone drinking in front of me."

"I didn't know you had a drinking problem, Regulus." Said Olivia, eyes flickering to Annabelle.

"I don't. I simply do not want one. My father drank. And my mother and brother suffer a similarly. After my father died, I had some liberties with alcohol, it did not end well."

"Close your eyes then, lad." Said Arthur. Oh, Regulus just wanted to punch him. The feeling was mutual. "He'll have a Shirley Temple."

"I'll have one of those too, but could you put vodka in it?" Asked Olivia. "What do you want, Annie?"

"Water."

"Why do you need to be boring, sweetheart?" Asked Arthur. Regulus felt like he was listening to Houdini and the Glowfish perform a jazz medley at a brunch.

Regulus tried to go to his happy place, however she was currently cold and paling, and anxious about her dad drinking, and anxious that said anxiety would lead to ruining the meal for everyone.

Why do you need to be a prick, sir? Regulus wanted to say.

"Don't be a prick, da," Said Olivia, playing with a coaster, setting it on the edge of the table, flipping it up and catching it several times. "Annie'll have water cause Annie wants it."

The waiter went away and left his number for Olivia.

"Thanks," Said Olivia.

"You've got a boyfriend don't you, doll?" Said Arthur once the waiter had left.

"Da. All our drinks are about to be free. Why are you gettin' in the way of this?" Asked Olivia, sighing and shaking her head.

"Ask not what you can do for the patriarchy, but what the patriarchy can do for you." Said Annabelle. "JFK said that, he did." She said, nodding sagely.

"So he did." Said Olivia, agreeing. "And you wouldn't argue with assassinated adultering former United States president John F Kennedy wouldja, Da?"

"I mean how would you even do it? The man's dead." Said Annabelle.

"Ouija board?"

"Psychics?"

"Necromancy, da? Devil's play. Take the free drinks and say thank you." Said Olivia.

"Thank you, doll, but I will be paying for the drinks." Said Arthur. "I'm your father."

Remember all those times Annabelle didn't come home for Christmas? You had custody for about fifty percent of those Christmases, and yet she chose to be alone. Regulus wanted to say.

"How did you meet Annabelle's mother?" Asked Regulus. Just to have something else to say.

"It was the best day of me life- topped VD day." Said Arthur. "It was me first time back in France since the war, and don't you know I meet the love of my life. I was at some French pub, surrounded by surrenderin' cheese eatin' idiots when I hear my Ali strugglin' to buy a drink her wee fake ID."

"How old was she?"

"Didn't matter." Said Arthur. Alice had been seventeen. "She was visitin' from some slavia or Yugoslavia I think, or maybe Hungary or somethin'. She was from a nunnery- been brought up there. After her parents were killed by the Germans. Nun's taught her English. I bought her a drink and we talked for hours. Hours. Her ID was ridiculous, some cardboard paper or some shite. With a spanish name no less. She needed somewhere to stay, she came to my boat. Then the rest is history."

"Why did you divorce?" Asked Regulus. He wanted to hex Arthur when his eyes flickered to Annabelle. She noticed it, Regulus was sure of it.

"Things got hard. Ali ran away." Said Arthur.

"Oh they have onion rings here." Said Olivia.

"Why all the questions?" Asked Arthur.

"I'm curious." Said Regulus, shrugging. Arthur's beer came. Regulus used magic to spill it.

"Fuck." He swore. "Annie."He scolded, assuming it had been his magical daughter. "I thought you had this under control."

"I didn't do anything,"

"Annie. Why do you need to ruin a perfectly pleasant meal?"

"We can just clean it with napkins, da, no need to be a drama queen." Said Olivia, standing and pulling Annabelle with her. "We'll just ask the fit waiter."

"Why do you feel the need to be a prick?" Asked Regulus.

"Excuse me?" Said Arthur.

"You belonged in that prison, sir." Said Regulus. "We both know why."

Arthur raised his eyebrows. "Do we?"

"You are a bad father." Said Regulus. "I'm sick at the sight of you."

Arthur Aelin was the reason Annabelle played into the hands of Dumbledore and Moody so easily.

"A bad father?" Said Arthur with a laugh. "I thought you were talkin' about somethin' else, oh I'm relieved. Is that all?" He took a sigh of relief.

Is that all?!

"Is that all?" Regulus repeated calmly. Arthur nodded. It begun raining outside, Regulus was so angry.

"I don't need validation from some eighteen year old boy Annie'll be bored of in two weeks." Said Arthur.

"We've been together for almost two years now."

"Yes. And Annie was fixated on marrying Princess Margaret for a year- then suddenly she listens to one Stevie Nicks song- don't buy the ring yet, lad."

"Annabelle didn't tell you?" Asked Regulus. "That she and I are engaged."

"That reflects more poorly on you than it does on me."

"I really don't think it does."

"Has she told anyone?" Asked Arthur.

"Yes." Regulus thought. "You just didn't make the list. Because of you know, horrid way you behaved as a father."

"Ha!" Said Arthur, he had uneven dimples.

"If you ever even hurt a hair on Annabelle's head ever again, I will kill you. If you make her upset, if she cries and your at fault, if you so much as irritate her- I will kill you." Said Regulus. "I could do it too. No one would ever know. They would assume you a drunk who got into the wrong pub fight."

-*-

"I do not like your father." Said Regulus as Annabelle got ready for Potter's wedding to Evans. He was sitting on the bed, looking through the chess book Annabelle had gotten so she could understand the so called 'strategy' he played with.

"Wow. I never would have guessed." Said Annabelle, slipping into the soft green dress Lily had sent her to wear.

"He does not even address the damage he did to your childhood." Said Regulus, shaking his head. "Merlin, Annabelle-"

"Galleon in the Merlin jar." Said Annabelle, poking her head out of the ensuite to scold him. Regulus grumbled and put a galleon in the Merlin sucks ass jar. "You asked to meet him."

"I know."

"You didn't have to." Said Annabelle.

"I was curious. Belle he is a textbook manipulator." Said Regulus.

"Ha! I don't think da has cracked open a textbook a day in his life."

"He disarms you with charm, and warmth, until you say something he doesn't like. And then there is the fear of an incoming strike-" Regulus continued. "And you grew up with that. It's no warning. Just love until suddenly something changes. I just-"

Annabelle attached her earrings as she left the bathroom, and Regulus forgot how to speak.

"Shut your mouth, you'll catch flies."

Annabelle had forced a record player and a radio into every room of the house. Trying to assign Regulus a taste in music so she could, quote, keep loving him.

Regulus grew overwhelmed with the music, and her, and Annabelle, and Annabelle Aelin in that dress. He shut her stupid chess book. Annabelle did not need an ounce of strategy did she?

"Zip me up?" She asked, standing in front of him and turning around.

"You look," he started, "How important is it you are at this wedding, my love?" She was standing in front of him. Regulus' hands slipped onto her bare waist through the open back of her dress.

"Very." Said Annabelle. Regulus pulled her onto his lap.

"You would leave me here? All alone? Needing you?" Asked Regulus, his arms were around her holding her to him. She slowly removed his arms and stood.

Regulus finally zipped her up after one final protest. Annabelle exhaled, amused. She smirked.

"Touch yourself." Said Annabelle. She turned to him. Regulus' cheeks began to warm, his mind melted into a daze of what Annabelle was wearing, how she smelt, sounded, and tasted.

"Belle,"

"You do think about me don't you, your majesty?" Said Annabelle, her fingers traced the side of his face, she held his chin between her index and her thumb, forcing his eyes onto her. Her sly smile turned wicked. "Lord knows I think about you."

Regulus' hand reached her hip, searching for knickers to tug down-

Annabelle wasn't wearing underwear. Regulus' breath hitched in his throat as she leant down to kiss him she paused just before their lips could brush.

"I need to put on knickers."

"No. No you don't." Breathed Regulus, standing and capturing her lips in a kiss, she gasped as he grabbed her by the waist. "I don't think you should go to that wedding."

"But I have to." Said Annabelle, Regulus' lips were on her jaw, trailing slowly to her neck, nipping at her skin.

"No. You don't need to." Said Regulus, his breath hot on her neck. Merlin, she couldn't leave him like this.

"I do, I really I need to-"

"You need something, Belle?" Asked Regulus. His hand slid down to her arse. He wanted her legs around his waist, he wanted to throw her onto the bed, and have her show him how she touched herself.

"To go-"

"No you need to come," He kissed her, "Here so I can-"

"Very clever your majesty." Said Annabelle.

"It's part of my charm." Said Regulus. Annabelle kissed him, the space between them exploded into a million little pieces and suddenly he couldn't get close enough to her.

Annabelle pulled away.

"Bye, your majesty," She said.

"Tease." He accused.

A wicked smile as she slipped her knickers on. "You love me?" She said.

"I love you." He breathed, words rising from the depth of his soul to the tip of his tongue. "It's us. We should marry."

"Should we?"

"Yes." Said Regulus, he collapsed back onto the bed and stared at the exquisitely painted ceiling. "I want, I want a big wedding."

"Really?" Asked Annabelle, fixing her hair and makeup.

"Yes. The sort where they take pictures and put them in the prophet. Only difference between us and those couples- well we're in love." Said Regulus. "Do you want a big wedding?"

"No."

"Oh."

"But I would prefer it in a castle." Said Annabelle. Regulus laughed.

"And here I was thinking you thought me materialistic." Said Regulus.

"Oh I do. Just I've grown to love it about you." Said Annabelle. Regulus chuckled. "It should have ivy on the walls and a garden. And be near the ocean."

"The castle?"

"Aye."

"Can it be in France?" Asked Regulus, Annabelle looked at him and scowled.

"Will we serve baguettes, and smoked salmon?" Asked Annabelle, wicked smile spreading over her face. Regulus sat up and threw a pillow at her.

"That was traumatic." He insisted.

Annabelle just laughed, she did not have a pretty laugh but Regulus thought it must be the most beautiful sound in the world. He would gladly empty his vault if it meant he could have the pleasure of it just one more time.

"Because you forgot the cream cheese?" Asked Annabelle, wicked grin on her lovely, beautiful face, she put a jacket on- a burgundy leather jacket with a sun rise painted on the back.

Regulus shook his head and fetched her a shawl from the armoire, he removed her jacket from her shoulders and put the deep green shawl over her.

"Maybe I was leaving to be with you hmm? You're lactose intolerant, my love, I was being considerate." Said Regulus, adjusting the fabric around her shoulders. "Oh, that reminds me, Kreacher wants to meet you."

"Meetin' your house elf? I don't know if I'm ready for that, Black,"

"Piss off, Aelin." Said Regulus, rolling his eyes. "Besides. Kreacher wants to meet you. He found a dairy free french onion soup recipe to prepare."

"We can take a crack at your day planner when I get back, your majesty."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Can you say it?"

"It's us, your majesty."

"Don't forget your wand." Said Regulus. "Do not smoke. You've been doing well without it."

Annabelle nodded as though she did not light a cigarette each time Regulus left her alone in this manor.

Regulus kissed her chastely.

"I wish I could go with you."

"So do I." Said Annabelle. "Can you make sure Meowie eats?"

Regulus groaned inwardly. However he would do anything for Annabelle.

"I have no idea where he is."

"Usually in the ballroom. I filled it with pillows for him." Said Annabelle. Regulus nodded idly.

"Which ballroom?"

-*-

"So when's the baby's due date?" Asked Annabelle, Lily hit her, swatting her arm.

"I'm not pregnant." She insisted.

They were in the Gardens of Potter's Manor, at the reception of Lily's wedding. A large tent erected - ha! erected- over them as they sat at one of the elegantly set tables.

Candles floated above them, illuminating the guests and decorations in a golden glow of happiness.

Annabelle had never been to a wedding before.

"Right." Said Annabelle. "If you do have a baby- and I've been thinkin' about this, you should name the little sod Harry."

"Harry?" Said Lily, leaning back in her seat as she watched her husband turn into a stag to amuse Nymphadora Tonks. "Why?"

"Well first off you need a name prepared, Evans." Said Annabelle. "Cause that prickish Potter over there is going to try and make you name it 'actual proof I had sex with Lily Evans'."

Lily laughed, because it was true. Lily's cheeks were still flushed and she smiled sweetly, nodding.

"He's very proud of that accomplishment." Said Lily.

"And plus you know the wee baby'll be born with just a full head of hair." Said Annabelle. "While your pushin' the doctor will be watchin' and be terribly afraid, wondrin' if your havin' a wookie. Probably going to be good wooking though."

Lily slowly moved the champagne just a tad out of Annabelle's reach.

Annabelle laughed at her own joke.

"Annie!" Shouted Nymphadora, rushing to her, holding Potter's glasses. "Operation stag is a go." She jumped up and landed horizontally on Annabelle's lap. "Hide me."

Annabelle tugged on the tablecloth to hide Nymphadora.

James walked over, guided by Sirius.

"Lily," He said in the vague direction of a red head.

"Over here, love." Called Lily, and James made it to her.

"Dora took my glasses, have you seen her?"

"Can't say I have, love, maybe try Andromeda." Said Lily. Nymphadora let out a sinister little giggle.

"Whose that under the tablecloth?" Asked Sirius.

"I found another cat." Said Annabelle. "I've got a thing about strays. Didn't want you to see it, I know how you feel about cats, mate."

"Meow!" Shouted Nymphadora, to add to the illusion of course. Annabelle nearly giggled.

"Lily?"

"Yes, love?"

"Lily Potter?"

"Yes, love?"

James smiled bashfully and ran a hand through his messy hair.

"Fancy a dance?" Asked James.

"What about your glasses-"

"I'll find them eventually." Said James. He extended a hand to her fuzzy form. Lily took it. "You'll just have to dance close so I can see you, Evans."

"Potter." She corrected. James had said it simply to be corrected. He smiled again and she lead him to the dance floor. Joy dripped in the honeyed air thickly.

Sirius sat down in Lily's seat next to Annabelle, and uncovered Nymphadora.

"Dora-"

"I am a cat." She said, with a nod, giving herself whiskers, and putting on James' glasses. "By Nicks he's blind!" She scrunched up her little face and gave the glasses to Sirius as she sat on Annabelle's lap.

Annabelle was watching James and Lily. They were so happy. James showed her off to just about everyone. He was a pureblood. They were in love. Lily was a muggleborn.

"How's Regulus?" Asked Sirius.

"He's alright."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine." Said Annabelle, Sirius nodded, unconvinced.

"Look at that. Wormy dancin' with Fawley. Can't believe she came." Said Sirius, raising a glass to the witch. Nymphadora was playing with her rings. "You could have brought him."

"Pettigrew? He's already accounted for, Black." Said Annabelle.

"I meant Regulus." Said Sirius.

"He wouldn't have wanted to come." Muttered Annabelle. She didn't want him here. She did not want to be dancing with him, have his arm burn, and be forced to conceal tears as he left again.

"Regulus loves weddings." Said Sirius. "Has so many opinions. Used to be I couldn't get him to leave the weddings. Unless of course they were playing jazz music. Or the band is Houdini and the Glowfish."

"Insipid Glowfish." Corrected Annabelle.

Sirius laughed.

"Shame Finnigan couldn't make it." Said Sirius.

"His sister is having a baby shower." Said Annabelle.

Sirius looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I think you and Regulus should have a kid." Said Sirius.

"I don't." Said Annabelle.

She did not want to have a kid with Regulus. Or maybe she did. She really did. Maybe she wanted the white picket fence with a little kid running around with grey eyes and a wicked smile. Eventually.

She just didn't know if he would love it. Being a halfblood, ruining his family line. Maybe he would hide it. Maybe eventually she would have to hold a weeping child and explain why daddy left every time his arm burned. Or was in Azkaban. Or refused to acknowledge them.

Annabelle did not like thinking of the future. One day at a time, she reminded herself. One day at a fucking time.

"Come on, what's the shame in poppin' one out? Make me an uncle. I'll spoil the little bastard rotten. It would be one helliant child."

"Annie's got responsibilities." Said Nymphadora. "To me."

"I'm spoken for, Sirius." Said Annabelle.

"I'm taking her home with me." Said Nymphadora. "But shhh Annie doesn't know she's being abducted yet."

"She doesn't?"

"If Regulus can abduct her, so can I." Said Nymphadora proudly. "We'll send in rescue for Mister Meowie and then I'll be happy."

"Regulus abducted you?" Said Sirius.

"Black van and all." Said Annabelle, fixing Nymphadora's hair, combing it back delicately with her fingers before reattaching the bow. "Not really though. He was just hurt. Wanted to see me."

"Andromeda kicked you out." Said Sirius in realization.

"I don't blame her."

"Mummy did what?" Said Nymphadora in utter shock. "Annie. You stay here while I get this sorted."

The little girl slid off Annabelle's lap, straightened her dress and begun marching towards her mother. She managed ten meters before spotting the chocolate fountain.

Nymphadora tugged on Lupin's jacket to get him to pick her up so she could have some.

"Dora thinks she'll marry Moony, my moony, some day." Said Sirius, eyes narrowed.

"Look out." Said Annabelle, with a laugh. "A five year old's coming for your man, Sirius, what are you going to do?"

"Piss off, Annie." Said Sirius, leaning back in his seat. Annabelle laughed. He threw a napkin at her. "I've missed you. You're like the little sister I never really had."

"I'd return the sentiment, but I'm not a dog person." Said Annabelle. Sirius fully knocked her off her chair. Annabelle laughed, hexing him. Sirius shrieked suddenly very afraid of tables.

"They're everywhere!" She cried as Annabelle lost herself to laughter. "Unhex me, Annie!"

Annabelle waited fifteen minutes.

Sirius struggled to regain his composure after. He glared and clung onto a laughing Remus.

Annabelle stood next to Moody.

"Dumbledore sent me." Said Alastor. His new eye was terrifying. Annabelle missed the eyepatch. "Come. Dance with me, sweetheart."

Alastor pulled her to the dance floor.

"The Dolohov child bride is causing trouble." Said Alastor.

"Claire?" Said Annabelle in shock. She had not heard from Claire in- She did not even know.

"Yes." Said Alastor. "She's become a death eater. A loose lipped death eater. I want you to capture her."

"I- No. Ask someone else." Said Annabelle, shaking her head.

"I appreciated your work with Lestrange." Said Moody. "Very creative, Annie."

"Runes interest me." Said Annabelle.

"They will be useful when you're my prized Auror." Said Moody, smiling, Annabelle nearly laughed, rolling her eyes.

"No. I don't want to-"

"Dumbledore always knew you had potential." Said Moody. "So powerful. It took me a minute to realize it. I thought you another pet project. So alike to Vance- but I already had a Vance. Then I watched you. Your magic. And it was beautiful."

Moody smelt like cigarette smoke and ginger.

"Do not waste your potential, Annie." Said Moody. "I can have Vance capture the Dolohov girl. I'm simply unsure of how gentle she will be. And Dolohov is your friend, yes?"

"She was." For six years. Claire had been Annabelle's first real friend. Until she had turned on her. Quickly, without warning, like there was an expiration date to her tolerance of Annabelle's blood.

"You should know she's been speaking with Avery." Said Alastor.

"Avery's harmless."

"Is he?" Said Moody. "Dolohov knows things, knows you."

Annabelle's hand turned cold in his.

"Do not be afraid, sweetheart. Everything will be fine. I will take care of you. I would hate for another Meadows McKinnon incident."

He chuckled and spun her. An uneasy feeling settled in Annabelle's gut. She did not want this.

She hated this. Annabelle was good at the fight, she took pleasure in the power, but she hated it.

Annabelle looked at Alastor.

"Yes, sir." She said.

"Rosier will do it for you if you don't feel up to it. Collecting Dolohov."

"Aye, sir, I think that would be best."

All she wanted was Regulus.

-*-

"Majesty," Whispered Annabelle, running a hand through her hair as she woke him.

Regulus was asleep in one of the blue apolstered sitting chairs in the Black Manor nursery Annabelle had gifted her cat. Regulus had the cat asleep in his lap, and there was a small stack of books beside him.

"Majesty," She tried again. "My love." Regulus begun to stir, leaning into her touch.

"Belle," He muttered, checking to see if the cat was still in his arms, frightened he may have fallen. "I must have fallen asleep reading. How was the wedding?"

"Good." Said Annabelle, sitting in the seat beside his. "Sirius said you love weddings."

"Unless they play jazz or serve brunch food." Said Regulus, trying to get the cat off of him, David Meowie woke, hissed, and moved to hug Regulus, its head in the crook of his neck.

"He likes you." Whispered Annabelle. "You fed him?"

Regulus glared at her as he scratched the cat between the ears.

Regulus smelt like home. Not any home Annabelle had ever known or lived in- nothing so temporary. Wherever Regulus was, Annabelle was supposed to be too.

"You've raised one spoiled cat, Belle." Said Regulus, the cat was large, the size of a lion cub.

"But look at those wee whiskers, your majesty." Said Annabelle. Regulus scratched the beast between the ears. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." Said Regulus. "And I am worried for your mental wellbeing, my love." He lifted her most recent notebook. "You have a problem."

"I do not-"

"The obssessive nature of your research is frightening, not to mention the random frivolity of it all. We have assassination ideas followed up by knitting patterns, runes, ancient runes, and the history of the name detailing every Rune to ever live, dating back to Rune Patterson born nineteen twenty seven, died nineteen forty three."

Annabelle curled up in the chair next to his and reached for his hand.

"I love you." She said.

"I love you too." He replied. "Can we go to Loch Ness together, Belle? I honestly believe with the amount of research you have, we could find the creature."

Annabelle should be asking after Dolohov, Avery, and Crouch. She should be abducting Claire Dolohov, or maybe killing Avery. But instead she said,

"Of course, your majesty. Anything for you."

-*-

"What is it?" Said Regulus when he noted Annabelle's stare. She bit her lip and looked over her shoulder and leant in to tell him a secret.

"We're the coolest people on this bus." Said Annabelle, "And this lot has no idea."

"I feel sorry for them really." Sighed Regulus. "To live in such ignorance."

"But shhh, your majesty, wouldn't want to make them feel jealous." Said Annabelle.

"Shhh indeed." Said Regulus, "Especially since," He looked over his shoulder, "We're Russian spies,"

"Comrad?"

"Da." He said, causing Annabelle's smile to widen and her nose to crinkle.

The pair broke into snickers. Annabelle opened a marked up map of Loch Ness, spreading it over Regulus' lap.

"I've been huntin' her for years." Said Annabelle.

"Have you ever actually been to Loch Ness?" Asked Regulus as Annabelle brought out the Loch Ness Notebook. He had seen it on occasion but had thought it a joke. "I thought you had lived only in Edinburgh, Plockton, and Bristol." He recited.

"Huntin' Nessie is a state. Of. Mind. Your majesty. Wouldn't expect you to understand. The only state of mind you know is mortal peril." Said Annabelle matter of factly. "She's had false sightings everywhere with an x and real ones wherever there's a star."

"The Loch Ness monster is not in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them."

"Yet."

"Not even Newt Scamander could find-"

"Guess he was Newt looking hard enough." Said Annabelle. Regulus hid his smile with his hand.

He was going to properly marry this witch. He was certain of it. He wondered if there was a muggle town hall they could convince the so called bus to stop in.

"Oh Merlin. I'm going to have to jump off a moving bus now. Wish me luck. Hope I do not die. Or. Maybe I do." Said Regulus. "Can I see your notebook?"

He looked through the pages.

"Uh huh, yes, I see,"

"What?"

Regulus put a hand up to silence her.

"Sure, I mean-, perhaps, ah yes."

"What?"

"Mental illness." Said Regulus. Annabelle swatted at his chest. "Your tendency to hyperfixate worries me, Belle. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery." He took her hand tenderly and pet it once.

"Piss. Off." Said Annabelle, tugging her hand away as Regulus laughed, looking through the pages of research on Nessie. Annabelle's white whale.

"We should start here." He said. "Because I want to purchase some muggle souvenirs. I transferred a substantial amount of gold into muggle- quid you call it? Anyhow, I have some of that, and I am excited to use it. I do not know why you are always complaining about the exchange rate. I found it delightful."

"You took out muggle money?" Said Annabelle.

"Yes." Said Regulus with a nod. "For us. For the wee bookshop."

"Well it sounds silly when you say it." Said Annabelle. He was reading her notebook slowly, barely struggling to decipher her handwriting anymore. Regulus had refolded the map.

They spoke of nothing in particular, and then nothing at all, Annabelle rested her head on Regulus' shoulder and they shared only the most comfortable of silences.

They arrived at Loch Ness, Regulus looked at the vast lake as they got off the bus. Lush green. They walked along the road to the castle, Regulus picked up every thistle he passed, giving them to Annabelle as she wove a crown for him.

They sat down by the lake. Regulus took her hand, and for a moment his mind fooled him into believing he was back at Hogwarts. His heart fluttering as he held his Belle's hand.

Annabelle was staring at the lake. Calm. She waited for any sign of the monster. Regulus put an arm around her shoulders.

"We should have brought scuba gear."

"Scuba?" Said Regulus, watching her watch the water. Annabelle smelt like the ocean.

"To go under water to search." Said Annabelle.

"Are you mad?" Asked Regulus. "I hardly think that's Nessie-sary," He said with a proud little smile.

Annabelle looked at him slowly, eyes flickering all over his face.

"What so you get to make shit jokes but I-"

"Let's get married."

"In a few years-"

"Today." Said Annabelle.

Regulus nodded, so overcome with emotion, he hardly noticed the inferi looming in the corner of his vision, crawling from the water.

-*-

Annabelle found a white dress at a second hand store in Fort Augustus.

Regulus thought she must be the most beautiful person in the world. He was in a suit. Wearing a flower crown. Standing in city hall, so overwhelmed with love he thought the floor beneath him must be a cloud.

He had dreamt of this so many times. Marrying his Belle. Marrying his love. Even the muggle way.

Regulus held her hands in his as they exchanged vows.

His constellation hung around her neck. Her earrings matched. Her hair was down, there were two french braids, keeping her hair half up half down, and he had put flowers in her hair.

Annabelle was holding a bouquet of wildflowers.

Regulus was anticipating a few sentences of affection from the witch who had initially been reluctant to the altar. However, he was suddenly faced with a sentimental Annabelle.

"I love you, Regulus. Too much, really." Said Annabelle. "Everythin' I'm about to say will be so cliche, but, I've lived for your smile, for your laugh, and I never want to know my life without them. I love you more than, more than my cat,"

Regulus laughed. He glanced at the officiant. "That's really saying quite a bit." He said.

"I'm not shittin' you, I love you more than my cat, more than anything. I love how mad you get when I dog ear pages, and how, how much you hate jazz. I love your dimples, and how you smell like home, and when I'm with you I never feel alone, or cold. I love that you can't make tea. Christ, I've had a crush on you forever,"

"My name's Regulus." He whispered, Annabelle rolled her eyes, not bothering to hide her smile.

"My heart went faster everytime you're around, and, and you once told me it's everything, how I'm everything, we are everything- and you're everything to me too, your majesty. It's you, it's me, it's us, and one day at a time has always been fine so long as those days are with you, just- those days need to go on forever. It's us, Black. You're my best friend, and the love of my life, and I just want to fuckin' marry you."

Regulus was crying happy tears, overcome with emotion.

"Can I kiss her yet?" He asked the officiant.

"Your vows, son." Said the man in a heavy Scottish accent, a small look of disappointment on his face as he realized the young couple would not be after a divorce within the week and he had lost a bet.

"Right." Said Regulus, looking at her. "Annabelle Aelin. You stole my proposal."

Annabelle let out a laugh.

"Don't think just because we're going to be married I won't pursue legal action." He said. Annabelle's smile grew so wide, her nose crinkled and she looked away. "I- I should confess before we are wed that I have been horrendous at astronomy my whole life."

Annabelle looked at him, confused.

"I could not pick a star that was not my own with a wand to my neck. And then you asked for my help. And I simply had to grant it. In first year? I forced Andromeda to tutor me. Teach me everything. And I managed it. And then it began, Annabelle Aelin's prominence in my mind. You are my favourite person. I love you more than more than my house elf."

"Really?" Shocked.

"Do not tell him I said that." Said Regulus. "I love you more than Quidditch. I love taking you flying. I have so much more to say, Belle, so much more, how I love you, cherish you, will cherish you. I'll subject myself to jazz brunch if I have to. Anything to be your husband. I just, I really want to kiss you."

Their I dos were exchanged hastily, and his lips were on hers the instant they were allowed to be.

"I love you." Whispered Regulus.

"I figured," Said Annabelle, because she believed him.

-*-

"My name is Regulus Black." Said Regulus, his cheeks pink from drink, and his grin broad from Annabelle.

He was at a piano on a small raised stage in the corner of the pub with a microphone. Something Annabelle was sure he did not understand.

The chatter in the pub died down as everyone turned to look at him.

"And I'm not sure of all that much in this life. Some of it is her fault. I am not fully convinced the sky is blue, or that grass grows slowly and not simply really quickly when I'm not looking. I do not believe the month of April is real. I think it a little too convenient the sky rises and sets always in the same direction. However I know one thing. It's that I love Annabelle Aelin." He pointed to her.

Annabelle was going to fucking kill him. The pub was silent. She was blushing furiously. Her white dress lovely and eye catching.

"And you know, everyone," He gestured around, Regulus was astonishingly handsome, and his voice was charming and full. He had captivated the masses. "I made her keep us a secret. For a while. Boo me. I know it was wrong."

The crowd booed.

"But now ladies, gentlemen, anyone who will listen, I don't have to. See that's her- the one pretending not to know me with the prettiest blush- I mean really the first test I'd ever trolled," Regulus began to play the piano. Simple flourishes to gain his bearings.

Annabelle was being stared at. She was too distracted to notice or care. Regulus was playing piano. She had never seen or heard him play.

"Failed I suppose you call it, was because she was blushing. And I was so jealous because I wasn't the one who caused it. I've been in love with her for- well for as long as I knew what love was. Probably a bit before. I'm in love with you Belle. We were married today. You said this would be our wedding song. Sing along if you know it everyone. It is from one of her favourite films."

The melody began, and Annabelle recognized it. Regulus had remembered. She should not be as surprised as she was.

Moon river, wider than a mile

The crowd began to join in.

I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker

Regulus looked at her and smiled. He allowed the chorus of muggles to take over as he mouthed, 'It is all for you'

Annabelle stood at the front of the slightly elevated stage. Well memorized words at the tip of her tongue but failed to surface as she was at a loss for breath.

Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your wayTwo drifters, off to see the world

Regulus was an immensely talented pianist. He was wearing muggle clothed and was by every definition utterly, and irrevocably in love with her. Annabelle was sure of it.

There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end

Waitin' 'round the bend

My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me

The muggle crowd broke into applause before dispersing into conversation. Regulus stood slowly, walking towards her. His sleeves were rolled up, his dark mark carelessly exposed to an ignorant public.

"Belle." He addressed, his smile threatening to broaden and dazzle her. He crouched down, "Did you like i-" Annabelle grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him.

Regulus was getting so laid tonight.

"I would have preferred eye of the tiger." Whispered Annabelle as she pulled away, Regulus kissed her again, slowly getting off the small stage and pulling her flush against him, the world was a haze of drunken muggle chatter and someone playing the jukebox. "I love you." She said.

Regulus would never tire of hearing it. That she loved him. Somebody- the somebody loved him more entirely than he could have ever wished for. Annabelle's hand was in his hair.

"You don't believe the month of April exists?" Said Annabelle.

"It's a tricky month." Said Regulus.

"It's in the day planner."

"Yes. Well. Forces of evil work in mysterious ways."

"I love you." Said Annabelle.

"You love me?"

"Understatement."

Regulus' heart skipped a beat.

"Come here," Said Regulus, pulling her out of the pub and into the centre of the empty cobblestone street. "We're going to dance."

He looked so beautiful. Annabelle memorized his whole entire face as she placed a hand on his shoulder and he placed his hand on her waist.

She did not want him in her next life, she wanted him now and in this one.

Regulus hummed as he lead her in the most simple of dances. Regulus spun her, and the instant she had returned into his arms she said,

"I think we should run away together."

"Are you shitting me, Aelin?" Asked Regulus breathlessly, she pulled him to the sidewalk as she spotted the headlights of a car in the distance. "Annabelle?"

"No. I am not kidding, Majesty." Said Annabelle. Regulus kissed her. His hands were on her waist, the soft fabric of her white dress beneath his fingers. Annabelle was everything.

"Where to?"

"Anywhere." Said Annabelle. "So long as you're there, and I'm there, and it's not here." Regulus nodded. Excitement began to build up inside of him.

They were really going to do this. They were really going to be reckless and selfish, and hopelessly happily together.

"I'll find us somewhere." Said Regulus. "Give me a week, and then I give you everything."

"Bullocks, Black, do you practice the romantic shite you say or does it just come natural?" Asked Annabelle. Regulus was staring at her. At the white dress she was wearing and the flowers in her hair. His Belle.

"I have a poet's soul." Said Regulus, hand to his heart. "And I love you. Did you know that?"

Annabelle felt she had spent half her life loving him, and the other half trying to stop. She nodded. She was between Regulus and the stone wall of an apartment building.

"I know."

When they reached their room in the muggle hotel it was all Annabelle could to do stop touching him. Sex was different this time.

It was better. Regulus loved her. And she felt it. Annabelle was loved by him, so fucking loved.

And she knew it. She really knew it. Someone loved her. He was going to be with her, going to love her.

Us. She thought to herself as he sang to his knees before her in and pegun bunching up her skirt. Us. She thought as he licked her cunt and sucked her clit, us she thought as she came on his tongue, us she thought as he lay her down on the bed and undressed in front of her. Us. she thought as he went down on her again.

It felt good to be loved. Annabelle moaned as he used his tongue and fingers, pressure building stronger than ever before- Annabelle squirted, screaming in pleasure as he made her come again.

They paused and looked at each other for a moment before Regulus devoured her in kisses. She was on top of him he was sitting up, kissing her neck, jaw and lips as she moved on top of him.

Only one thought coursed through her mind as she had the best lay of her life,

Us.

-*-

"What do you mean you married her?" Asked Anthony quietly. He was staring at Regulus incredulously, standing in front of Regulus in Regulus' father's old office in Gringgotts.

"I mean we went to a muggle city hall, got a licence- muggles need licences for everything, even to die it's insane- anyhow, we got married." Said Regulus calmly.

"You can't be serious." Said Anthony. He begun to pace in front of Regulus.

"Of course not, I'm Regulus."

"I thought, I thought she just made you happy. And that's why I encouraged it. You shag her for a couple years until you find a proper little wife for your legacy."

"Anthony." Said Regulus, appalled.

"And it was for before, before what happens happens. And you married her?"

"I love her."

"Regulus. We're eighteen." Said Anthony. And then he went very pale. "Dear Merlin. Did you knock Aelin up?"

"No, Anthony." Said Regulus, rolling his eyes. "I love her. I wanted to marry her. So I did. I'm happy."

"You won't be." Whispered Anthony, tears stung his eyes, she shook his head, looking at the muted portrait of Regulus' late father hanging on the wall. "Why would you marry her? She's a mudblood. A filthy little mudbl-"

"That's my wife." Said Regulus harshly. "Do not talk about her like that."

Anthony was becoming progressively more panicked as he looked around the all but desserted office. The plants Regulus had picked out were gone. The hidden pictures of Annabelle, missing. The picture of Regulus, Anthony, and Barty? Gone.

Realization struck Anthony like a bolt of lightning.

"You're leaving." He whispered.

Regulus said nothing.

"You can't, you can't leave." Said Anthony, his breath hitched. "Without you, without you how, how am I meant to- I- Regulus."

"We can write letters-"

"Letters!?" Said Anthony. "I mean Crouch is, I love him, but you and I Regulus? You just, we're brothers. Okay? I know you've got one, and he left you, and now we're continuing the cycle- you can't leave me here."

"You could leave as well-"

"No. I have Barty." Said Anthony, shaking his head. "And I don't leave people I love."

"Avery, I can't I can't keep fighting a war where if I win, if we win, it would kill her."

"Keep her in a tidy little estate. Hide her away." Said Anthony. Regulus felt upset. He did not wish to leave his friend. But he would.

He could not continue to fight for a world Annabelle would not survive. Regulus rounded the desk and hugged Anthony tightly.

"I love you too, Anthony." He said.

"But you love the mudblood more?" Said Anthony, starting to cry. Regulus felt tears prick his eyes. Regulus hugged him tighter.

"Don't tell Crouch."

"Of course not." Muttered Anthony. "When do you leave?"

"In two days." Said Regulus. Anthony nodded. "I am sorry, Anthony. For leaving you. But, I am glad to be rid of the dark lord. Or at least be able to run from him instead of serve him."

"You won't have to, Black. You won't have to. What about Kreacher?"

"Once mother passes, he will find me in a few years."

"Two days." Repeated Anthony. "I. I think I could be happy for you."

Regulus pulled away and smiled. "Really?"

"I mean, she makes you happy, and if anyone can outrun the dark lord- it's Aelin." Said Anthony. "I'm just going to miss you. It won't be the same."

"You'll find away. You're Anthony Avery." Said Regulus, Anthony nodded and looked at him.

"If ever you need help on a crossword-"

"You're the first owl I send."

-*-

"Mother." Said Regulus, sitting down next to her sickbed. Walburga looked at him.

She looked old. It was not odd, but she looked weak as well. Thin and pale. Her eyes sunken in, and the bags under them dark purple.

"Dearest? Is it truly you?" She asked. Her hair was a mess.

Regulus had never seen his mother like this. Regulus could not wait to leave her, but he could not stand to leave without a goodbye.

"Yes, mother." Said Regulus. She reached for him. Regulus allowed her to touch his face. Her vision had been leaving her slowly, her eyes clouded over and misty with age.

"You look just like your brother. Only better." She whispered, her voice weak. "I never intended to have you."

"Thank you, mother." Said Regulus.

"You were a mistake." She told him. "The only mistake I've ever made which I am proud of. I lost your brother, but you, Regulus? My son."

"Mother,"

"You are perfect. I know I am harsh but," She coughed into a handkerchief, it spotted red. "This, you, you would not be as perfect without them."

Regulus did not tell his mother about Annabelle, instead, he allowed her to tell him about how miserable his father had made her. And how the only piece of death she feared was being forced to see him again.

Regulus changed the flowers in the vase by her bed.

"Thank you, dearest." Said Walburga.

"Of course, mother." Said Regulus. He sat in the seat beside her sickbed, and watched the stone wall of a woman who had raised him, tortured him, and hurt him, slowly turn to dust.

Regulus felt tears prick his eyes.

"Goodbye, mother." He whispered as he he watched her eyes grow heavy.

He looked to Kreacher.

"I've married Annabelle." He whispered when his mother fell asleep.

Kreacher's ears perked upward. He bowed his head slightly.

"It will be an honor to serve the new mistress of the noble and most ancient house of Black."

-*-

It fell apart quickly.

Annabelle did not say goodbye. She would bid her farewells in letters. Instead she enjoyed her life as it was for her final two days.

She rested her head on Sirius' shoulder as they watched a Bowie concert on the television. She went on a mission with Vance, killed Darius Mulciber, and she knit a jumper for Lily.

She went out drinking with Finnigan, and met his sister.

She sent David Meowie to the Tonks' until she got settled with Regulus somewhere.

Annabelle found herself perfectly content, owls flitting to her friends and family.

Until she spotted the dark mark. Bristol was not a terribly large city.

She her mother's home was not far from the train station. A sickening swirl filled her stomach. The suitcase fell from her hand as she felt her blood run cold.

She apparated to the townhouse. The townhouse with frog figurines on the lawn and her sister visiting for a Sunday roast-

The dark mark hung above her home. A bright green skull illuminating the dusk with a snake slithering from its mouth. The door was left ajar.

The street was abandoned.

Annabelle ran inside.

"Olivia!?" She called desperately. Her magic was turning violently inside of her. "Olivia! Please, please, please,"

Annabelle froze in the foyer as she saw her mother dead on the stairs. She dropped to her knees, gasping for breath, managing only to crawl to her, her breath coming out in sobs as she tried anything and everything to wake her mother.

Green eyes opened wide. Finally proven right, that Annabelle would be the death of her.

"Ma," Cried out Annabelle, "Wakeup, no, wakeup," Grief overtook her as she realized Olivia must be dead to, Annabelle pried herself from her mother and managed up the stairs.

Olivia had been the last to go.

Her door blown off its hinges, a small barricade destroyed, a window open where she had tried to escape, a rosary around her neck as she prayed for life.

Annabelle got to her, her dress stained with her sister's blood, her blood stained the carpet of her bedroom, and the old dollhouse still standing in the corner.

Olivia lay in the middle of the room, bleeding out.

"Olivia!" Shouted Annabelle rushing towards her. Olivia's blood was mud like- They had turned her blood to mud. "Olivia." She said, clutching her sister to her, Olivia was still breathing but barely.

"Annie?" Whispered Olivia, her voice weak.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Olivia-" Cried out Annabelle.

"Annie," Said Olivia, her breath coming up short as she decayed in her sister's arms. "Am I dying?"

"It's all my fault." She sobbed, "They, they must have been looking for me."

"Annie, it's, fine if I die protecting you," Olivia coughed out. "We will be even, yeah? You save me, I save you." She said as she weakened, the sludge like blood leaving her slowly, her heart slowed when it reached her heart. Olivia managed a hand to Annabelle's cheek. Annabelle sobbed as she looked at her. "Don't cry. You're perfect." Breathed Olivia. "Cross my heart."

"And kiss your elbow." Sobbed Annabelle, Olivia smiled faintly as her eyes struggled to focus on her baby sister.

"I love you." Said Annabelle in a sob, she was unsure Olivia managed to understand Olivia's hand fell from her cheek.

A familiar feeling of white hot chill filled Annabelle.

Annabelle pressed her sister's hand to her cheek. "No, Olivia, stay with me, Livie, stay, please!"

Olivia was gone. Dead in her arms. At her hand.

Annabelle's ears ringing with the affirmation of love she had longed fo her whole life.

Annabelle cried out, rage filling her. A deafening scream tore from her heart and lungs, and fire burst from her.

A fire consumed the townhouse, roaring as Annabelle cried for her big sister to wakeup. To wakeup and tell her it wasn't her fault, wakeup and protect her, wakeup, just wakeup and be perfect.

The townhouse began to crumble as a fire continued to roar, bursting from Annabelle, stone decimated within instants.

"Oliva, please, I need you. Please." Cried Annabelle, one scream leaving her after another as the second floor fell, Annabelle's magic protected them. The house turned to ash around them as Annabelle clutched at Olivia.

Annabelle sobbed as the house decayed around them, destroyed as Annabelle had destroyed each of their lives with her mere existence. Annabelle clutched her big sister.

The one person she had asked to protect, tried to protect, was dead, and it was her fault. The fire grew and licked the dark mark in the sky.

Olivia was pale in her eyes, green eyes opened wide permanently in terror, a large gash torn in her torso. Annabelle held her face, wishing she would wake.

Annabelle tried rune after rune, trying to get her to wakeup, laws of the universe be damned, she would get her big sister back. Annabelle sobbed, the crackle of fire beginning to consume adjacent houses, it roared and grew, and consumed until the street was gone, nothing left but rubble.

Annabelle's sobs grew louder.

I will always avenge you Annie her sister's voice rang clear in her memory.

You too Olivia.

Annabelle begun Olivia's last rites, she figured better late than never. God would understand once she reached heaven. Olivia was an angel.

Olivia would be avenged. Annabelle took the rosary clutched in Olivia's cold dead hand and put it around her own neck. Annabelle lay Olivia down slowly at the heart of her destroyed home, fire flickering all around them.

Annabelle conjured flowers around her.

"Annabelle!" She heard her name called and she looked up. Relief filled her, Regulus, he found her, and looked at her fallen sister. "Annabelle."

"Do you know who did this?"

"No." He lied. She could tell. Within an instant. Annabelle was a trained killer, and now she had a mission. Regulus knelt down to hold her.

He was not shocked by the corpse, by the destruction. Regulus had known what he was walking into. His need to comfort her had superceded his talent at deception.

"Do you want to bury her before we leave?" He asked in a gentle whisper.

"Leave?" Said Annabelle.

She needed to avenge her sister.

"Yes. We're leaving today, my love."

Annabelle begun to again as Regulus extinguished her most beautiful rage filled fires.

"Alright." She lied.

And then Annabelle invaded his mind, she grabbed his face and forced his eyes onto hers, and she barrelled through his shields. He had been caught off guard stunned as-

"Anthony?" Said Regulus as Anthony rushed into his home. Regulus had been about to leave. Anthony's eyes were red, his hair was a mess, his robes covered in blood which was not his own. His death eater mask clattered to the marble floor of Black Manor.

"I fucked up, Black, I fucked up." He said, his breath was puffy, and he pushed passed him."I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, so sorry, sorry,"

"What's happened?" Asked Regulus, Anthony's eyes were wild.

"It was an order, you have to understand, Regulus, you just have to!"

"What was?" Anthony had his back to him. Regulus felt fear welling in his gut, dripping into him like poison. What had Anthony done?

The rise and fall of Anthony's shoulders slowed gradually.

"I- Dolohov told the dark lord, told the dark lord Aelin had a sister." Said Anthony. Regulus froze. "And, and he ordered me to, to-" Anthony broke down in tears before him. He felt unsure of himself.

"You killed Olivia?" Whispered Regulus. Anthony nodded slowly, looking up at Regulus with terror filled eyes.

"And now, now Aelin's gonna kill me. In a very painful, slow way." Said Anthony, his breath short, and his heart beating fast. "You have to stop her, please, I don't want to die."

"I don't want to die." Anthony repeated over and over. Regulus was frozen.

Olivia was Annabelle's family, her only family who mattered. He looked to Avery, he was a sobbing mess on the floor. It was an order, and one did not simply say no to an order from the dark lord.

"She will kill you." He breathed. "You need to hide."

Regulus forced Annabelle from his mind and stumbled backwards gasping for breath. He was on the ground. Annabelle arranged a bouquet of daisies in her sister's hands. She stood and looked down at her, she signed the cross and looked to the heavens, asking for her sister's entry.

"Annabelle?" Said Regulus.

"It's probably best if you stay down, your majesty." She said. She was holding her wand now. "I would hate to make it permanent."

"Belle," Started Regulus, Annabelle was filled to the brim with rage.

"Hide." She repeated his words back to him. "Where did you hide him?"

She knew she was unable to get into Regulus' head when he was expecting it. There was exactly one match for Annabelle in this world and she was married to him.

"Belle, please don't-"

"Don't what? Fill his veins with mud?" Said Annabelle, her voice was a monotone, her back to him. "He killed my sister."

"It was an order from the dark lord, Annabelle, surely-"

"What would have happened if he had refused?"

"He would have been killed and-"

Annabelle turned to him slowly, Regulus was standing now, his wand drawn, he stood a few paces from her.

"He's guilty. Olivia was innocent. It should have been him." Said Annabelle. The air felt cold as her magic gathered within her preparing to strike him.

"You do not understand what it is to be in the dark lord's presence, his influence-" Started Regulus, eyes wide as he sought to reason with the grieving, enraged Annabelle.

"You're defending him." Said Annabelle. "My mammy is dead. My sister is dead, and you're defending him? You said you'd never hurt me."

"I never-" Started Regulus,

"But you do, Regulus!" She shouted at him. "You do! And I thought that was over, that you had finally chosen me, that finally loved me! But you don't."

Regulus was stunned silent. Annabelle's breathing was erratic. She was not thinking rationally. All she felt was anguish.

"You are fucking coward, Regulus Black." Said Annabelle, tears streaming down her face. "He killed my sister. You can bet your fine arse if that was Sirius, rotting at my feet," Regulus cringed at the thought, "You would be a wreck avenging him, and I would help you. You are selfish. All you want is to take. I've got nothing left to give you."

"Annabelle, please, he doesn't have to die too-"

"So what? I'm the one stuck with all the hurt?" Said Annabelle. "No. He should hurt too. I want him in pain. I'm your fucking wife, and still, and still I'm second to all of them. To Avery, and to Crouch, and to your big title, to that tattoo on your arm, and and-" Annabelle broke down in sobs.

Regulus had never seen her so distraught.

"Loving you is the most inconvenient thing to ever happen to me." She said.

"You don't mean that."

"If I didn't, I'd kill you right now." Said Annabelle. "I wish you loved me. I thought you marrying me, and agreeing to run away meant you loved me."

"It does-"

"You don't do this to someone you love." Said Annabelle. "You don't, don't hide them, and, and insult them, and kill their cats, and have friends who kill their sister, and mother, and still defend them." Said Annabelle.

"You've killed." Said Regulus. "And they are nasty murders, Belle." He tried to reason. "Neither of us are good people. But we love each other. Let's go. We can, we can forget all this-"

"I'm never going to forget this." Said Annabelle. "My sister just died and all you care about is protecting the bastard who fuckin' killed her!"

"I don't want you to kill him." Said Regulus, raising his wand. "He is my friend."

"And she was my sister. Who did nothing wrong." Said Annabelle, she raised her wand. "You are everything to me, your majesty. I just wish you weren't my enemy."

She cast the first spell, a rune. Regulus struggled to strike her with offensive spells, until he recalled he couldn't. His magic refused to hurt Annabelle. Just as hers refused to hurt him.

Only Annabelle did not fight like a witch.

She had not cast expelliarmus in all her years with a wand. Instead gusts of wind struck him and thunder gathered above. Fire surrounded him and Regulus struggled to put it out, Annabelle was about to apparate when Regulus sent a vine to circle her and pull her to him.

"I cannot allow you to kill him, my love." He said, as Annabelle struggled in her confines, vines holding her in place before him. "We can go together, leave as we were meant to, I- I'll never speak to him again. Ever. I mean it. It will just be you, me, and us, just as it was meant to be!"

"Fuck you, Black." Said Annabelle. "My sister- My ma- dead. And all you do is defend him. How can you expect me to love you? You're pathetic."

"You don't know what you're saying." Reasoned Regulus.

"And you do. You don't care I lost my family, because they were just muggle accessories to you." Said Annabelle. "You pretend to love me, pretend to care and then- and then this. My sister is dead. Because of him."

Annabelle's magic burst from her, releasing her, Regulus hit the floor harshly at the force of it. Annabelle tore the necklace from her neck and threw it at him.

"This is all your fault, Regulus. No scapegoats left. It's you, me, and the mess we made."

She vanished in a crack of apparition.

Regulus sobbed for his lost love. She was right. And now she would kill Anthony- his friend, one of his only friends. How could she? How could she hurt him. He looked to Olivia's dead body.

He did not care. Annabelle was right. She was a muggle. Her only value was how she cared for Annabelle. Now she was gone she had none.

Regulus would bury her for Annabelle. Regulus, Regulus would regretfully do anything for her. He felt his heart shatter, he felt scared the shards would puncture his skin.

Annabelle, in spite of all reason he wanted her to pause her quest and come here, and hold him and make this all better.

Regulus held her necklace delicately. He never would be able to part with it.

Inferi emerged from the rubble of Annabelle's destroyed home. Crawling towards him, bodies distorted and movements undead and animal like. Regulus felt a familiar panic build within him.

Perhaps this was his fate. He struggled to apparate to Anthony to warn him. Perhaps he did not want to. Perhaps Anthony deserved it. No. No one deserved death.

There were more inferi now. Regulus was imagining things again. He moved away, backing himself into the one remaining wall and waiting for the vision of his boggart to pass.

-*-

"Annabelle," Said Moody, opening his door to a distraught and sobbing, blood covered Annabelle. "We thought you had gone."

Dumbledore was just behind him, holding Annabelle's letter. Annabelle pushed passed Moody to hug Dumbledore, sobbing into his silk robes as he caught her in his arms.

"You were right," She kept repeating. "You were right, you were right, you were right, you were right," She sobbed.

"About what, dear girl?"

"Everything." Said Annabelle. "He, he killed her, he killed Olivia, and Regulus just, he defended him." Annabelle's tears were so fierce she got the hiccups. She felt like a child.

"Who?"

"Anthony Avery." Said Annabelle. "He killed Olivia."

"I will alert the aurors of a new death eater." Said Dumbledore. "We will find him, Annie. You can kill him for me." Said Dumbledore. Annabelle nodded. She kept sobbing.

Dumbledore saw the remnants of the child he had plucked from Plockton all those years ago. She held the fabric of his robes as she clutched to him.

"I've got you." Whispered Dumbledore, stroking her hair. "I've got you, sweetheart."

A sickly sweet sentiment hung in the air. He did have her. Dumbledore had Annabelle. Annabelle the reckless, amoral, ruthless assassin. Annabelle the devout runist and blind follower. Annabelle who would do anything for him. For the order. For the greater good.

He turned her over to Moody when he left. Moody had her too. He stroked her hair. He held her as she cried, as she grieved.

Regulus had put her here. Regulus put her into Moody's arms, into his home, into his study, into his guest room.

Regulus had put her in Moody's bath tub, as the auror washed the blood from her body, the dress she had put on for Regulus cast aside. Regulus had put her in the chair As Moody cut her hair and stripped away a piece of her identity. He had her as he set a quill in her hand and an Auror contract before her.

Regulus Black had broken Annabelle Aelin. Fractured her impenetrable will in a way Alastor Moody could only dream of.

Annabelle picked up the quill, dressed only in a thin robe, and she signed on the dotted line.

Annabelle Aelin became an Auror. She became a member of the ministry military.

Her boggart appeared in her dreams. Emerging with her father's face, a warning she would be just like him.

Pathetic, trailing after her 'one true love' who never wanted her anyways. A military 'hero' with a life doomed to shit because of a country she had given her life to serve.

She was her father's daughter.

Annabelle awoke with a start. And Moody slept on the floor of her room, so she wouldn't be alone.

She took the sleeping draught he gave her, resting her head on his shoulder as she begun to dose off again.

"I have you, sweetheart."

He really did.

-*-

"Barty?" Called Anthony as he entered his flat. "Has hell frozen over or something? Why are you cooking?" Anthony shut the door, not noticing the rune drawn on it.

Anthony walked into the kitchen. Fear froze him in place.

"Moon River," Annabelle sang to herself as she cooked. "Off to see the world, there's such a lot of world to- Avery I'm so happy you could join us." She said, pulling the fish from the stove and putting it on a plate.

"Us?" Whispered Anthony. There was a putrid smell filling his flat. She nodded into the dining room.

Anthony looked in, his stomach lurched. His uncle's half rotted body was tied to chair. His mother, clearly distressed was tied to a chair. She was screaming through a gag. There were runes on the wall.

Annabelle had trapped him.

She was singing again, setting the fish on the table.

"Where after the same rainbows, and, waiting round the bend, my huckleberry friend, moon river and me." Sang Annabelle. Anthony was not sure why the lovely lilt of Annabelle's voice was so distressing.

"Take a seat." Said Annabelle, "I prepared the dinner for you. It's the least you could do."

Annabelle forced him into a seat with magic and begun serving plates.

"I was going to leave your ma out of it, Avery, but she burnt down a children's hospital. And is a suspiciously rich German." Said Annabelle, with a nod.

"Aelin." Started Anthony, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry."

"Doesn't matter." Said Annabelle. "I just wanted to have a wee dinner so I could ask if your family had any rituals I should respect before death."

Annabelle looked at him expectantly. Anthony shook his head. Afraid. He was shaking, teeth chattering as he looked at her.

Annabelle's hair was done tightly in braids pinned at the back of her head. Her eyes dark, and completely focused.

"I- I had no choice, Aelin, he was going to kill me," Said Anthony.

"See, Avery, what you didn't understand is that it wasn't her or you. It was you alone, or both of you." Anthony gulped.

"I, I," He started feebly.

"Me sister and I used to talk about this. If one of us went before the other. I asked for a Scottsman's burial. Over a waterfall, on fire lit by a flamin' arrow. Livie wanted one thing. For me to avenge her. When I was a kid it drove me mad. Because how do I avenge old age? But now? It seems simple."

Anthony looked to his mother. She was crying. And then she started struggling for breath.

"Please, Aelin, I'll give you anything you want!" Cried Anthony. "Anything!"

"I want my sister. I want my mammy," Said Annabelle, Mrs Avery continued to struggle for breath until she stopped very suddenly and slumped face first into her plate of fish. "I hope she likes seafood."

Anthony was in hysterice. "Mum, Mum! No, Aelin you're a monster."

"Am I?" Said Annabelle. Anthony nodded.

"You kill me mum, me sister, me stepda, and I'm the monster? You terrified them, filled me sisters veins with mud, and I'm the monster? You hand my cat to die, and I'm the monster? Just because you're posh with a charmin' personality and an apology doesn't make you good."

Anthony was silent Annabelle had her sister's rosary around her neck. Anthony recognized it. Olivia had been clutching it, praying for him to go away.

"You're not the first sod I've killed for her you know?" Asked Annabelle. "I killed this priest. When I was ten. I burn down a whole church. Not because he called me wicked, or because he told me I was the reason ma abandoned me, but because he was touchin' Olivia. And I found out. And I was so cross I killed him, burnt the whole church down too. Never regretted it. Da sold a boat to have the quid to cover it up. No one knows it was on purpose. Guess you'll die with that."

"Please, Aelin." Whimpered Anthony as Annabelle stood up. She carried a lighter and a bottle of vodka. "He, He'll never forgive you, Regulus I mean."

"Why should I have to earn his forgiveness?" She asked, dousing him in vodka, making a face. "Me sister gave me this lighter."

Anthony shuddered as the cool liquid trickled down his back.

"Regulus will never want you again. You'll be alone."

"At least I won't a shame to carry with him. You should be happy, yeah?" Said Annabelle, she touched his cheek. "Are you scared? Because you don't know what happens when you die?"

"Yes." Said Anthony. Annabelle turned him to face his dead mother.

"Your eyes, they just go blank as life drains from you." Said Annabelle, she grabbed his mother's hair and pulled her face from the fish so Anthony could see. "And then, nothin'." She dropped the head again.

Anthony struggled to keep composed.

"Anthony. I wish you hadn't killed my sister." She said. "I wish she was still here. Olivia was so fuckin' good it was sickenin'. Donated all her birthday quid to charity. Taught me how to swim. To ride a bike. She was my big sister. She was my hero, and you took her from me."

"What about Finnigan?" Cried Anthony, "He'll hate you for killin' me."

"I spoke to him. He understood. He's with Rosier now. He's happy." Said Annabelle. Anthony begun to cry. "All those people you're about to threaten will come after me? They're already after me. Because of people like you. Selfish people. Bad people."

Annabelle removed Olivia's rosary from her neck.

"Last words?"

"Please no,"

"Somethin' original, Anthony."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but-"

"You would do it again? Then you're not sorry." Said Annabelle, she drove the rosary into the artery of his neck several times. Blood sputtered out, Anthony struggled to stay alive.

Annabelle lit him on fire. And then she sat there and watched.

She watched him die a muggle death. Screaming as the blistering heat over took him, as he bled out in pain and his eyes begun to lose focus.

Anthony Avery was dead.

Olivia Aelin was avenged.

Regulus Black would never forgive the love of his live.