Shadows, Fire and Snakes
The water. The water was here. Regulus’ eyes grew wide and his mind began to panic as his arms and legs began to frantically thrash against the strong pull of the water pulling him deeper down towards the unknown. His throat is beginning to close and open, desperate for any oxygen that may be around him by some miracle; of course, it finds none. Yet, Regulus still fights. Still thrashing as the surface only seems to get further out of his reach with every thrash. His mouth is filled with water from the screams which no one will hear. maybe this is his cruel fate which he must meet, some unfulfilled prophecy of what will be. No, he will not allow himself to succumb to a fate so like his brother - weak and pathetic.
He is bought back from what he did not even realise was one of his mother's creations and yet the “water” which is not spilling from his mouth feels so real. Regulus glares upwards at his mother whos so innocently sitting at her desk but swivelled around enough to be staring straight back at him and Regulus is left to wonder what he has done this time to anger the beast who he calls mother.
The silence between the two is heavy. One angry son with an equally as angry and dangerous mother. However, like most things, this silence doesn't last.
“Do get up boy” Walberga snarled “Your pathetic screams and tears have covered my floor” Regulus instinctively reached up to his face, with all the water he had not realised he HAD been crying. How pathetic and weak of him to cry in front of his mother. He had shown her that she had won.
She harshly grabbed Regulus’ chin, forcing him to look her in the eyes whilst digging her nails into his cheek and neck “Word of advice, son” she hissed that last word, pure venom leaking from her mouth “If you are going to be so weak as to cry, at least have the decency to look pretty whilst you do it” she released his face, brushed her hands on her dress as if her son was covered in filth and stood. Gesturing for her son to stand and follow her.
Reluctantly, Regulus did as he was told. He could not afford to disappoint any further.
Walburga stopped before a wide board, many pictures and string plastered across it including pictures of Regulus and his friends. Regulus furrowed his eyebrows and stared at the floor. Shit.
“This” she gestured to the board “is how you will become my son, my true and proper son. The true heir to all that I have built” She turned around to face her son “You will play a vital part boy. You will be the one to lead this plan. You and your pathetic friends shall finally make your mark on this pathetic world.” Walburga started to pace towards Regulus, a fierce and dangerous look in her eye “You will be the end to the light and carve the path for the darkness to take over.”
Regulus tried desperately to mask the shock. What on earth was she thinking?
Walburga didn't stop and it became apparently clear to Regulus that this was his mission prep. This is his briefing for one of the biggest roles he must play in his life.
“You must carry out a series of missions, we are not yet sure of how many but you will know” She outstretched a hand towards her son and he took it without hesitation “You, my boy, will kill the light” With that, she placed a small device on his hand, no different in appearance to a regular watch but Regulus had seen this before. His father had one and showed him how it worked when he was a boy - probably no younger than 6. It was a communication device capable of transmitting messages all over the globe.
Walburga released his hand. “You must go to Pandora's lab. There she shall give you everything in which you need for this mission and she shall be your main source of both information and equipment for a while.”
Regulus nodded “Yes Mother”
She wavd him off “Then be gone.” Regulus moved towards the door the silence once again settling between the two as his feet clicked against the wooden floor of the office. His hand met the familiar cold metal of the handle “Regulus” his mother called out and he once again turned to face her. When his eyes met hers, they were cold and unforgiving like the water she loved to torture him with
“do not fail me” Her words were sharp and deliberate, the venom laced behind them as a threat was deadly. God knows what would happen to him if he did not concede to his mother's plan.
“I shall not fail you, Mother”
Walburga did not reply and Regulus took this as he could leave. Kreacher was waiting for him as he exited the office, his eyes filled with concern and panic which seemed to ease as the young master left.
“Master Regulus, I am afraid that you must leave instantly” Kreachers voice waivered and there was a hint of sadness concealed within it. “There is no need to pack, I have already done so. You have all the necessary items” The old man brought his voice to a whisper and pulled the boy closer “I have also packed a few of the books from the library and have purchased a few more which I have a feeling that you may enjoy”
Regulus smiled at the man and whispered a small thank you - perhaps there was something to miss about this sad place after all. Kreacher bowed before his master and escorted him to the door, a sleek black car was awaiting him at the front. Regulus stepped inside, with no plan for what would happen next and watched as the house he has known all his life slowly faded from view.
Regulus straightened his posture, and let a cold shadow overtake his eyes. There was no longer any room for failure.
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