Chapter One
Kent, England 1940
“Well, let me see.” The hushed voices of boys hiding behind a window argued as one peered through the cracked glass. A figure slouched over a desk further into the house could be made out if they squinted enough.
“A map.” One boy whispered. One boy, a red head, scoffed.
“Oh, look, Nazi spy, right there.” Said another before the first one picked up a bundle of twigs and leaves, a boyish grin on his face.
“Follow me.” he whispered, the group of boys chuckling as they followed their ring leader. They watched from a safe distance from the door as the bravest one of them shoved the bundle into the mail shoot.
“Oi!!” A shout from the house caused them to scatter, laughter filling the air as they took off and the front door swung open.
“Go, go, go!”
“Come on, quick!”
Some boys laughed, while others let out shouts of fear, running as fast as they could from the fuming man standing on his steps, a cardigan wrapped tightly around his thin shoulders.
“Run before Regulus Black gets you!!” One boy ahead yelled to his friends.
Regulus decides he has had enough.
. . .
“Oh, Regulus.” The voice of the town nurse, Poppy said, trying to catch up to the fuming young man.
“Mr. Black.” Regulus corrected harshly, not slowing down for the old woman. Poppy huffed, gently catching his arm. Regulus stood, his body tensing before he turned to glare down at the short woman.
“It's the WVS meeting tonight. Can I count you in?” She asked. Regulus stared down at her and scoffed, walking away without an answer, focusing on his mission. “Unbelievable.” He heard her mutter, a small smile making its way to his lips as he walked down the street.
. . .
“Oh, Lord.” A man whispered as he stared out his window, watching as Regulus shoved the door open. “Prepare yourself boys.”
“Dumbledore!” Regulus shouted, slamming the office door open. The old man tensed, standing up from his seat to greet Regulus as calmly as he could. Regulus stared at the graying man before grabbing his satchel and dumping the contents on the desk. A pile of dirt, twigs and leaves. Dumbledore sighed, lowering back down. “I will go to the police.”
“They're just children-” He started.
“Or buy a shotgun.” Regulus hissed, placing his hands on his hips. The Black temper was something Dumbledore couldn’t handle.
“Oh, please, Mr. Black.” Dumbledore sighed as if he was already exhausted from the conversation.
“It's my property! I won't have it!” Regulus shouted, banging his fist on the table. Dumbledore smiled forcefully.
“Perhaps if you didn't provoke them-”
“Shotgun it is.” Regulus said, before turning his heel and storming out of the building.
“Mr. Black! Mr. Black!” Dumbledore shouted, only to be stopped by his secretary. Minerva McGonagall watched as the young man made his way down the street before turning to Chief Dumbledore.
“Upon the heat and flame of thy distemper sprinkle cool patience.” She spoke, tilting her head towards the retreating figure.
“What's that?” Dumbledore asked, tilting his head in confusion.
“Sir, as the bard said.” McGonagall offered. Dumbledore sighed, raking his hand through his hair.
“Shakespeare didn't have to deal with Regulus Black, though, did he? Or he might have said, "Get thee under the table and hide."” Minerva chuckled, shaking her head at her friend.